The back of Richmond Heights Elementary School was once just a small-grassy nondescript patch of earth separating the school from a nearby playground
However, as of late it’s gotten a new look — in the shape of a butterfly.
Different plants designed to attract pollinators is pictured. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
Richmond Heights School Board members recently toured the new outdoor butterfly garden and separate playground, which was the first time that many members got to interact with it.
Superintendent Marnisha Brown, speaks to board members and other visitors during a recent board meeting field trip. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
Richmond Heights Local Schools board members, and City Councilperson for Ward 4 Brian Silver, go on a field trip to view a new garden outside their Elementary School. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
The small butterfly-shaped garden has lots of different plants designed to attract not only butterflies but also other pollinators that want some sweet nectar with educational guides identifying each plant staked out nearby.
Benches shaped like butterflies are situated around the inside of the gated area which Superintendent Marnisha Brown will be used to have more opportunities for outdoor education.
“Here is our butterfly garden and it actually attracts butterflies and bees, but it’s supposed to be the bees that don’t sting, I don’t know about that,” Brown said with a laugh while giving a tour of the garden. “When teachers bring their classes out, the whole point would be outdoor learning, to learn about the plants, what draws the butterflies and what plants pollinate the bees.
“We also have it out here so that it is WI-FI accessible so if teachers bring their class out and they are working on the computers they can still come out.”
A pathway with butterfly steps go to a new garden in Richmond Heights. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
She said that making sure kids are getting outside has been part of several new learning methods which have shown that there are new ways to learn that go beyond the traditional method of sitting in a classroom for six hours at a time.
“We have adopted, in the past three years, a new English Language Arts curriculum, we have a science and math curriculum, so we are on par with the latest teaching strategies, and they really couple with the spaces that have out here,” Brown said in an interview. “It’s hands on, its thematic, it allows them to expand beyond the classroom. During COVID we learned that it was important for our students to be able to do other things, innovative things, the traditional way was not the best way.
“We were able to see that teaching strategies had evolved as well; so why not really meet the kids where they were, be innovative in that teaching and provide a space that explores that.”
The garden isn’t the only upgrade. A $1.2 million project also included a recently opened Safety Town, expanded library and technology center and playground. The upgrades have been long coming as they were paid in part by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds received during COVID.
Richmond Heights Local Schools Board members examine a new jungle gym. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
Richmond Heights Local Schools administration and board members stand in a new playground. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
The new playground, decked out with mini-basketball hoop and jungle-gym, and soft-landing spots for unexpected falls — still had an education aspect to it as fun facts about physics were displayed on signs around the court.
“This is for our bigger children,” Brown said. “This is where the upper grades would be at. We have the jungle gym and also the science information behind you as well, so again, while its for recess and play, its all about learning as well. There are lots of ideas on how to utilize and divide the space.”
All of the outdoor learning and recess areas will be open to Richmond Heights Elementary School children starting this school year.
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