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MAY 3rd PLANTING PARTY TO START OFF NEW OUTDOOR LEARNING CLASSROOM AT MILLER VALLEY SCHOOL
posted 04/29/08

Saturday, May 3rd, Miller Valley will be planting 45 new trees, shrubs, and flowers in the north side of the campus.  Funding for this project is provided by a grant from APS.  This is the start of our newest outdoor learning classroom.

Miller Valley is partnering with the Highlands Center for Natural History in a 3- year endeavor to develop hands-on curriculum for all students K-5th grade.  During the first year of the partnership, the school’s principal, Jeff Lane, and a committee of seven teachers have been meeting monthly with Highlands education coordinator Lisa Packard to continue the management of the first learning garden, named “Marilyn’s Garden” after late teacher Marilyn Thomas, and to create new goals for additional outdoor learning space around the campus. In Spring 2007, Miller Valley School was designated an official “Schoolyard Habitat Garden” by the National Wildlife Federation.  NWF requires schools to offer a collection of food, water, and shelter for native species to earn this special designation. The committee is also working to create the framework of this partnership and continued learning experiences. Miller Valley teachers have had two in-service workshops during this school year, and will meet again this summer to plan lessons for each grade level.

Miller Valley students and their families have been invited to help place the new plants into their new homes.  The planting party is scheduled for 7-9am, Sat., May 3rd.  All are encouraged to bring their shovels and work gloves.

A drip irrigation system will be in place before the hot temperatures of summer arrive.

The grand opening for the new outdoor classroom will be Thursday, May 8, during the annual “Miller Valley Extravaganza” 5:30-7:30 p.m.  Plants will be marked with their common and scientific names, and visitors can view maps of the various areas of the outdoor classroom. A naming contest for the outdoor learning space will be conducted throughout the evening.