montgomery township school district pto grants

Photo of early construction phase courtesy of Taylor Clark Glascock, President, Courtland Elementary School, Fredricksburg, Va. Photo courtesy of Sumpter Parent-Teacher Club, Salem, Ore. First among them is finding the right space, so work with your school administration to decide the best possible placement. Sunshades, sails, canopies, pavilions, or naturally shaded areas under trees-there are lots of considerations that go into choosing a design for your outdoor classroom. Hands-on STEM and STEAM ideas for parent groups to support learning GET FREE GUIDE Design Inspiration They can expand the curriculum with hands-on lessons in reading and writing, scientific observations, and social-emotional activities by connecting lessons with nature.

Taking learning outside is helpful for teachers, too. More and more studies show that when students interact with nature, their grades get better their creative, problem-solving, and intellectual skills grow and their physical and mental health improve.įor example, in a study for the California Department of Education looking at a group of students with set outdoor learning routines, 27% of students had improved testing scores and they all received higher ratings in social skills, peer relationships, and self-motivation. Outdoor classrooms offer more than just a change of scenery.

Physical distancing challenges caused by the pandemic and a growing focus on green improvements to schools have prompted many PTOs and PTAs to set fundraising goals specifically to build outdoor learning spaces. While they’ve typically been used at schools in warmer climates, they’re now popping up everywhere, including schools in northern climates and urban areas.

Montgomery township school district pto grants