Two local schools will be making outdoor education improvements after receiving funding from the Bethlehem Garden Club.
For nearly 10 years, the club has given a Science Education Grant to schools within the town of Bethlehem to enhance environmental science education. This year’s recipients include the Bethlehem Children’s School and St. Thomas the Apostle School.
“Enhancing education is one of our core missions,” said Bonnie Smith, Garden Club vice president and grant coordinator. “It’s something we do every year and are very proud of.”
The grant is funded through the club’s annual plant sale. Any primary education school within the town can apply for either a $500 or $1,000 grant, with the winners selected by a committee of club members.
This was the first time St. Thomas the Apostle School was selected for a grant. A $1,000 grant was awarded to the school to create an outdoor classroom. The money will be used to purchase about 30 collapsible stools and desks, along with storage.
“We have a small school, so it will be nice when the weather changes to get outside,” said Theresa Heilsberg, an eighth grade science teacher. “I think it’s an advantage. There are known benefits of learning outside in nature, and we have a beautiful property here.”
Heilsberg said the outdoor classroom with be beneficial for biology classes in the middle and high school levels as they learn about plants. The elementary school also has a unit that studies birds.
“I think this will make for a fantastic edition to our school,” said Heilsberg.
Bethlehem Children’s School also won a $500 grant to be put toward a school-wide sustainability project. One of the major goals is to expand the school’s garden so produce grown by the students can be used by the cafeteria at lunchtime.
“Sustainability is important to us because it goes along with being a good citizen,” said Acting Administrator Heather Leveille. “We started talking about what we could do for farm-to-table, so when the kids have lunch we can serve something we grew ourselves.”
Bethlehem Children’s School science teacher Paul Doyle is spearheading the project. In 2012, the Bethlehem Children’s School won $1,000 to help purchase equipment and supplies partially needed for a greenhouse on campus. The building is sustainable and is made out of recycled bottles.
LeVeille said a greenhouse science class has been worked into the curriculum. Likely, all students will help with the planting in the spring, and then certain classes will take on the responsibility of caring for and harvesting the produce. Already, some classes have started growing herbs inside, which will then be transplanted in the future.
“We’re getting our shopping list together now and plan to use the money to purchase seeds and equipment,” said LeVeille. “We’re doing our best to improve the school’s eco-footprint.”
Smith said the Club encourages school’s to apply for the grants with any ideas they may have. “There’s no strings attached. We do ask for a follow-up presentation to see what they have done with the money.”
Because there have been a lack of applications in recent years, Smith said some of the money has been donated to elementary school libraries in town to purchase books. “We understand teachers are overwhelmed and don’t have the opportunity to put together an application,” she said.
