Newtown Friends School

This past year was our first year with our Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom and Playground and it was quite a special year!

 

For our first project, the children planted pansy seeds in our three large planting boxes, watered them, and watched them grow. Later in the fall, the children planted tulip, crocus, and daffodil bulbs so they could see them bloom in the spring. The children observed the changes in the trees and other plants during the school year and drew pictures in their nature journals.

In the spring, we added two smaller wooden circular planters. One became a fairy garden with plants and fairies for imaginative play, and the children planted herbs that could be tasted in the other planter. We also added a bird feeder in front of each classroom (there are three classrooms that face the Nature Explore Playground). We used recycled soda bottles to hold the birdseed, and the children were able to watch the birds from inside or outside. The children learned to identify the kinds of birds that came to the bird feeders. It was a magical year!

Last year, in support of the outdoor classroom project, we established a paver program. We plan to add more shrubs, perennials, and trees to the Outdoor Classroom through the proceeds of this ongoing fundraiser. The brick pathways throughout the space offer a unique opportunity for our parents, alumni and friends to add to the beauty of the area with a paver engraved with their family name. Inscribed pavers will be installed each summer.