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Outdoor Classroom Project
Excerpt reprinted from the Devine News September 11, 2019
The Devine Intermediate is in the planning stages of a special project
for students. They will be hosting a meeting for
parents and community members who are interested in discussing and helping with
the creation of an “Outdoor Classroom.”
There is a meeting planned for September 17 at 10:30 AM at the Parent Place and
another planned for that same evening at 6:00 PM in the Intermediate gym.
“The PTO has designated money to be used on this project at the Intermediate
campus. An outdoor classroom is something I have always wanted since I began
teaching,” said Principal Blain Martin, who also taught for many years. “I
would take my classes out and sit on the steps at the end of the building or go
find a picnic table. But, while the kids and I enjoyed going out, it was hard
to have a lesson with nothing to write on or project on. Teachers are super
excited about going through with the plans. All of the teachers take their
classes out on occasion, and still will, but this will give them a place that I
hope will have access to an LCD projector or a black or white board.”
“I want this to be a true project that parents, teachers and community have
input in,” Martin adds. “I don’t want it to be about what I think it should be.
All grade levels on this campus would certainly have access to it, and if there
was an opening, I would hope that elementary would bring over their classes
too. I think that would create a positive experience for those students so that
when they did move over here they are already comfortable.