With the help of many generous sponsors over the past 8 years, Vanscoy school had been able to build an outdoor classroom that is used almost every day. Our outdoor classroom is used during outdoor education time, during kindergarten exploration time, and as an alternative learning space for all classes to use. We use the classroom in all seasons, including the winter.
What’s in the Outdoor Classroom
The Gardens
We have 4 raised planter beds that we plant each spring. The students are responsible for preparing the gardens, planning, and planting the gardens in the spring. In the fall we harvest the gardens and use the produce to make different healthy food items such as beet muffins, smoothies, and soups. Over the summer the gardens are cared for with the help of volunteers. If you are interested in helping out please contact the school.
Fruit Trees
We have 2 apple trees that are just getting themselves established. We also have 2 sour cherry trees, 2 haskap bushes, and lots of raspberries. Feel free to come and pick berries during the summer!
The Learning Deck
We have a learning space with benches for students to learn together and work at. This space is used for class discussions and instruction time. Students are also welcome to use this space to do their own independent work. We will be building a roof over the space for shade and installing an outdoor chalkboard very soon!
Work Spaces
There are 3 picnic tables for students to work at. Additionally students may pull up a stump to work at or work on the grass.
Water Catchment System
Beside the shed is our water catchment system. We use the rainwater collected through this system to water the gardens throughout the spring and fall.
Habitat Additions
You may find various items that students have either built or purchased in our outdoor classroom such as bird houses, bird feeders, and insect hotels.
Coming Soon!
Learning Deck Roof: We will be building a roof over our learning deck in the next few months. This roof will provide us shade during some of the more sunny times of the day and allow us to work outside when it is raining.
Outdoor Chalkboard: We will be installing an outdoor chalkboard near the learning deck once our roof has been built.
Model Mixed-Grass Prairie: We are planning on creating a model mixed-grass prairie in the outdoor classroom. This mixed-grass prairie will help to teach students about what our schoolyard would have looked like back when bison roamed Vanscoy. Thank you to EcoFriendly Sask for their grant that will make this model habitat possible.
Thank You …
The following organizations have supported our outdoor classroom through grants:
- CF Industries
- Agrium
- Nutrien
- TD Friends of the Environment
- Whole Foods
- Tree Canada
- Toyota
- Prairie Spirit Schools Foundation
- EcoFriendly Sask
