Birdwatching, sketching, singing, gardening, butterfly releases, and found art – these are just some of the outdoor learning activities that have taken place at Hilson Avenue Public School. For the past ten years, the school’s garden and yard have offered spaces for students to connect with one another and with nature. And now, there’s a new outdoor space ready for students to explore.
Last month, the school unveiled an outdoor classroom, featuring log and rock seating, a stage, a blackboard, and an accessible wheelchair ramp. The classroom will be used for a range of learning activities, including observing the changing seasons; holding performances; learning about different plants and their uses in Indigenous communities; and getting an up-close look at the habitats of local wildlife and insects.
Hilson students were eager to get outside and take to the stage:
“I was out with my students when it first opened up, and they all got on the little stage and enthusiastically performed skits, dances and songs. At recess, many students also enjoy using the space as an area to sit, talk and read. It is very nice to have a variety of spaces in which to learn. This space will lend itself well to the arts.” – Jennifer Ramsay, Principal
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This is one of several outdoor classrooms that have launched at OCDSB schools over the past two years. The OCDSB Facilities department supports schools in building these sustainable spaces, offering different layouts to customize each classroom to the school community. By nurturing environmental awareness and sustainability skills, these classrooms are helping to grow our OCDSB Culture of Social Responsibility.