Parley’s Park Elementary School (PPES)cut the ribbon this morning to open the school’s first outdoor classroom, a greenhouse where K-5 students experience science and nutrition education.
“We are very excited to create outdoor, hands-on learning experiences for our students,” said Principal David Gomez.“This greenhouse provides our teachers a new tool to create fun outdoor STEM learning.”
At the grand opening EATS volunteers taught students from kindergarten and third grade how to plant seeds and helped them pot tomatoes and herbs that seeded the greenhouse. “EATS is excited for the first Park City school greenhouse and the essential life skills opportunities the garden provides students K-5,” said Meaghan Miller-Gitlin, EATS ExecutiveDirector.
This outdoor classroom didn’t happen overnight, it took significant fundraising and staff/volunteer dedication from both the PPES PTA, Park City School District, and the EATS organization.“The process for the greenhouse started five years ago with a committed group of PTA parents who began working with EATS to expand the classroom to the outdoors,”said PPES parent Sara Sergent. “I am very excited to see it come to life, especially on Earth Day.”
This greenhouse is a first of the school district and is seen as an outdoor education pilot initiative. “The greenhouse is a great visual representation of where the Park City School District is heading with our master plan and integrating outdoor education into each school,” said Superintendent Jill Gildea.
Contact: Brandi Connolly | Parley’s Park Elementary PTA | 214-448-9651, parleyspta@gmail.com
