Jamestown Elementary School PTA

November 2014

Growing Outdoor Learningand Sustainability

Our Community

Outdoor Learning Helps Us Grow

• CARES

– Cooperation

– Assertion

– Responsibility

– Empathy

– Self-Control

• Values and Academics

Partners

• Students

• Teaching Staff

• Administrators

• Parents

• PTA

• Community Partners –nonprofits and businesses

Our Goals

• Increase awareness, appreciation, stewardship

• Cultivate project-based and place-based learning

• Create a healthy environment

• Increase biodiversity

• Increase inclusion

• Increase environmental literacy

Strategies

• Mentor staff

• Curriculum integration

• Educational Program

• Budget and fund

• Risk management

• Green Team

• Parents and Partner support

• Assess and feedback

#1 Explore, Discover and Wonder

Maintenance and Support

Maintenance and Support

Funding and Budget

Funding Sources

• PTA Visiting Horticulturalist Stipend• PTA Outdoor Classroom Fund• PTA Funding for Grounds Maintenance• PTA Funding for Eagle Scout Projects• PTA Funding for Audio PA• APS Science Fund• PTA Classroom/Instructional Funds• And others e.g. Library Fund• Grant for Outdoor Education Projects

Funding Wishlist

• Grounds Maintenance– Wheat’s

– Year-round?

– What is realistic?

– Needs discussion

• Eagle Scouts Projects – Pathway in Courtyard

– Digging Box near Gym

• Audio PA

Outdoor Classroom Expenses

• Soil Testing and Soil Amendments

• Tools and Equipment includes– Wheelbarrows– Microscopes (through

APS Science Fund)– Lesson Toolkits

Outdoor Classroom Expenses

• Labeling and Signage

• Plantings– Native, non-native,

edibles

– Assess, donations and buy

• Books (through Library Funds)

Outdoor Learning Pre-K to 5

Programs and Projects

• Wildlife Observation Project

• Bird Feeding Station

• Smithsonian ‘Bridging the Americas’

• Monarch Watch

• Journey North Tulips

• Green Team

• Farm to School

…and many many others

Celebrate!

Communications

• Email

• Newsletters

• Twitter and Facebook

• Website

– Jamestown Garden page

• Garden Work Days

– SignupGenius or just show up!

Questions?

Chris PayackSecond Grade, Science Lead TeacherChristine.payack@apsva.us

Contact us

Mary Van DykeGreen STEM Learning maryvandyke4@gmail.com