Outdoor Learning Gets a New Look

They said it couldn't be done. But students at Rowe Elementary powered through 2 days of trail work to improve their outdoor learning classrooms and spread over 10 yards of mulch. Mulch was spread in classroom spaces and along newer trails to help improve access to these learning spaces. Their four outdoor classrooms are located along the Capisic Brook and provide opportunities for teacher to bring their students outside for various lessons.

The school's responses to the COVID-19 pandemic brought on new needs for access to outdoor learning spaces. As the pandemic eases, Rowe shows no signs of easing their use of the outdoor classroom spaces. If anything, they are seeking even more ways to get students outside. Increased use on these trails as well as the creation of new trails can lead to more soil being displaced from the ground and flowing into the Capisic Brook. By stabilizing these spaces with mulch, these students are ensuring that these spaces will withstand the use of students for years to come. Additionally, they are also protecting Capisic Brook from harmful stormwater pollution.

As some students got to see during heavy rains while mulching, rain from the school campus and bare trails flows quickly down towards the brook both across the land and through stormdrains. Almost an inch of rain fell, totally transforming the brook and raising the water levels. Mulch on the trails will help to slow the path of water traveling down slopes and absorb it.