Outdoor Classroom Project at Milton High School Takes “Root”
In conjunction with the National Wildlife Federation, Milton Outdoor Classrooms (a nonprofit group) has recently initiated a town-wide project to create schoolyard habitat gardens (also called outdoor classrooms) at all Milton schools. Since our schools are under construction, this is an ideal time to shape the school grounds into creative learning environments that can be used as a teaching tool for all subjects (science, math, writing, history, art, music, etc.).
Based on teacher and student surveys, many ideas for the MHS outdoor classroom have been gathered, including:
· An outdoor amphitheatre for musical and drama performances
· Outdoor seating areas for classes
· Sculptures created by MHS students
· Native plants that will enhance the outdoor cafeteria seating area
· An herb garden for cooking classes
· A wildflower meadow
· Quiet areas for study and reflection
· An outdoor art work area
· Roof gardens
Using money donated by the Milton Garden Club and an anonymous donor, we have hired a landscape architect group with specific expertise in outdoor classroom design (Ruth Parnall and Virginia Sullivan of Learning By the Yard) to create a master plan for the new courtyard. The plan will integrate ideas from the MHS faculty, students, and parents and will build upon the base plantings that are currently in the courtyard.
For further information, contact Janet MacNeil at 617.698.7013, janetmacneil@comcast.net.