Outdoor Classroom To Debut This Month At Lacey Township Middle School

By mid-September, students at will have an outdoor classroom at their disposal, thanks to the graduating class of 2011.

With funds still left in their account at the end of last school year, Student Government Association President Briana Zuccarelli said she and Vice President Hannah Kraft met with their advisers Kerri Sutter and Nick Madensky and decided to donate the money from their fundraising to create a nice place to hold class outside.

“I’ve had language arts and science classes outside but it’s very windy, the grass is wet, and we had nothing to write on,” said Zuccarelli, who is entering ninth grade at Lacey Township High School. “The new outside classroom will make it very comfortable and welcoming.”

Over the summer, school principal James Handschuch said he, Vice Principal Jason King, the grounds crew and custodial staff prepared a 30 foot by 30 foot area on the west side of the school next to the gym for the classroom. They carpeted the area with 5 inches of landscaping rock and border and purchased six foldable picnic tables that will be anchored to the ground for student use. The finishing touch will be the planting of evergreen shrubs around the area this fall. The overall cost of the project was about $2,000.

“Students will be able to learn in an open classroom environment,” said Handschuch. “It will provide students an alternate learning environment — outside of the classroom and building. Presently, if students go outside with their teacher, they usually sit on the grass or concrete. Now, they will have a more comfortable area to read, write and discuss lessons.”

Any teacher may use the classroom, which will be available September through October and April through June. Teachers will have to sign up to take their classes outside to enjoy the area and learn, Handschuch said.

Zuccarelli said it is very exciting that their project has come to fruition. She and Kraft helped determine the classroom’s location and also decided to name the classroom after their graduating class.

“Having an outside classroom will help kids focus,” she said.

And while Zuccarelli will not get a chance to enjoy the classroom herself, she hopes her 8-year-old sibling will enjoy it some day.