The General Byng Outdoor Classroom

BEFORE

AFTER

          The roots of our outdoor classroom began with the children in Grade six, who surveyed the student population as to what was needed in the school yard. From their results a committee was formed called “The Playground Improvement Committee”. In October of 1999 a small group of grade six students became involved in an enrichment project responding to a contest promoted by Fort Whyte Centre called “The Ugliest School ground Contest.” This outdoor classroom design contest required the students to research investigate, and design their version of a school garden. Following the criteria set by Fort Whyte the children began their plasticine design. It was a wonderful day when the school was informed that they had finished in first place and would be entitled to $4000.00 worth of plants and the services of a landscape designer.

          The next step was to put the plan in to action and to redesign the student’s plans to make them fit the money available. The landscape architect helped to choose plants that were native to Manitoba. The Playground Improvement Committee was actively fundraising for a new play structure for the schoolyard. Fortunately, the publicity from winning this contest inspired the Playground Improvement Committee to fundraise for this project as well.

Excitement built the day the construction crew sprayed the asphalt with pink spray paint. When the heavy equipment rolled onto the playground and the construction began, the children screamed with delight. Next an old fashioned work bee that included friends of the community, parents and even former students of General Byng was organized. The parent and students spent many days planting, laying sod and watering the seedlings. Many classes took part in the planting. The Outdoor Classroom was officially opened on June 19^th, 2001.

Over that first summer, interested parents, teachers and students met for weeding bees. In the fall, the returning students viewed their new green space with awe. Many games of hide and seek, sketching activities, and plant and animal lessons took place in the garden. In October, the science club planted tulips in anticipation of spring.

By the time the snow had left the playground, plans were in the works for rejuvenating the garden. The Kindergarten grew marigolds and planted them with their grade six reading buddies. The grade three students started sunflowers and transplanted them with care into the garden. The science club collected perennial donations from the community. The Science club also completed the direction stone. They dug a four meter square hole, mixed and poured cement. Then they placed markers noting the four directions. As well, the principal purchased an environmentally friendly lawn mower for the students to use to cut the grass paths. On Aboriginal Awareness Day, the elder from each mixed age group planted a stalk of corn. This was to honour the sacred plant of the Native people and to mark the first anniversary of the garden.

Over the summer, the garden grew and matured beyond expectations. The sunflowers grew taller than the building. The corn plants produced many cobs which were prepared for Grade Six Thanksgiving lunch. The tomato harvest was outstanding and the Garden Club gave tomatoes to many families who attended Meet The Teacher Night. The Garden Club ran a tulip drive and raised enough money to purchase and plant 115 tulips.

Next spring will prove to be colourful in the outdoor classroom. A storage shed will be erected this fall. Presently the Garden club is looking for landscaping equipment to move a boulder or two into the garden. Donations of perennials or garden tools are welcomed. The Outdoor Classroom is a community project that has involved many hours of volunteer labour. The students and staff of General Byng School would like to thank all those involved in this Earth loving project.

SPRING AT GENERAL BYNG

The First Snow Fall