Justin Medve
For the Beaver
The newest learning space at Bath Public School was properly unveiled this past Wednesday as students gathered to celebrate and thank contributors for an outdoor classroom years in the making.
Local parent and student advisory council treasurer Shawna Greyling took the pavilion’s freshly-paved floor to share how the final pieces of her team’s project came together.
“I thought it was important to recognize how many people stepped up to help us complete this – whoever we asked came forward and helped,” she said.
Napanee District Secondary School students had the opportunity to build the shelter in 2011. But not having the funds for concrete flooring – the most expensive portion of the project – kept its use limited, Greyling said.
More recently, generosity made the difference. The remainder of an $8,000 estimate was kept manageable with help from Ontario Power Generation, Lafarge Bath Cement Plant, Clermont Properties and Morven Construction. The Bath Gardening Club and Bath United Church also lent a hand by laying mulch and planting shrubbery that has been growing steadily since autumn.
Bath Public School Principal Brigid Steele took a moment to make sure Greyling’s efforts were also thanked as well. Steele took her position after the structure was built, arriving in time to see the public come together for its completion.
“It’s a real team effort and speaks volumes to the collaboration that exists in Bath,” Steele said.
Steele said that the main benefit of an outdoor setting is giving students more chances to ask questions and make observations based on their surroundings.
“Inquiry-based learning is really big in education right now and being outside opens another opportunity,” she said.
Steele added that at a busy school, any extra space is important. The shelter can seat a class at a time, with surrounding benches and picnic tables providing plenty of room for a student audience or project.
Greyling shared some of the variety that the setting could bring for kids all of ages.
“You can have a Grade 8 class doing science observations or you can have the Kindergartners out here for a break,” Greyling said.
Baseball, soccer and volleyball teams playing on Bath Public School turf are also welcome to take a break there at half-time – which Greyling said she has already seen.
“It’s not just for the school, it’s meant for the community,” she said.
Two dedicated project members, Brenda and John Sheriff, have roots in the area. Two generations of theirs have gone to Bath Public School and one kin now teaches there. They both told the Beaver about the importance of acting on opportunities like these.
“It’s just a case of having someone organize and realizing what you can do,” said Brenda.
“For the future, you need to fill these spaces,” added John.
Greyling said she hopes recognizing the efforts of everyone involved helps inspire children to work for that future.
“They need to know and see what it takes to build a community and the adults modelling that for them is the perfect example. A little showmanship of a big red ribbon: it’s perfect for them.”
The space could also be incorporated in community events this summer and school fundraisers from September on.