Siwanoy Celebrates National Outdoor Classroom Day

Pelham NY

25 May, 2021

9:00 PM

Description

Press release from Pelham Public Schools: May 25, 2021 Siwanoy School celebrated National Outdoor Classroom day on Thursday, May 20 bywelcoming back Susan Gilbert for a day of planting and outdoor learning in the space that wasthe brainchild of the former principal and officially opened two years ago to the day. To kick offthe festivities, members of the PTA, teachers and student government leaders spoke about Mrs.Gilbert's incredible career at Siwanoy, culminating in the dedication of a butterfly garden in Mrs.Gilbert's name and the unveiling of a plaque in the outdoor classroom that reads, "In Honor ofSusan Gilbert, Siwanoy School Principal 2003-2020, Champion of Children, Lover of Nature." In addition to members of the student government, who passed out packets of milkweed seed toguests, the event featured remarks from current Siwanoy Principal Farid Johnson,Superintendent of Schools Dr. Cheryl Champ, Teacher Suzie Diano, PTA President DawnBloise and Mrs. Gilbert. Throughout the day, students from all grade levels spent time in theclassroom, gardening, planting and enjoying the space. The Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom at Siwanoy School opened in 2019 following years ofdevelopment and fundraising. The classroom, located in the rear of Siwanoy School, serves asan important vehicle to augment students' education across a number of disciplines and enablethem to connect with nature. Features include a stage, student gathering area, music andmovement areas, art panels, raised garden beds for classroom plantings, a butterfly cyclegarden and a weather station. The outdoor classroom was made possible through an incrediblefundraising effort by the Siwanoy PTA, Siwanoy Outdoor Classroom Committee, PelhamEducation Foundation, Pelham Preservation and Garden Society, and a New York State grantalong with the contributions of many families and community members. This press release was produced by Pelham Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.