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There is always room for more students in Greater Johnstown High School’s newest classroom.
Come September, the school will start using an outdoor classroom that students and others helped to build at the rear of the school.
The classroom’s landscape is comprised of plants and flowers that are native to this area and thus will be environmentally friendly because of not needing conventional lawn care.
“The new outdoor classroom is a wonderful example of the commitment of the school district to provide students with numerous outlets and venues for learning,” said high school Principal Michael Vuckovich.
“Students are happier and learn better when they spend time outdoors, research shows,” he said. “This classroom will provide students with a wonderful, relaxing setting in which to learn.”
Earlier this year, Natural Biodiversity, a nonprofit environmental organization in Johnstown that focuses on fostering environmental stewardship in the region, organized a workshop with the school district and students to come up with a concept for the outdoor classroom, said Kristina Strosnider, executive director of Natural Biodiversity.
Strosnider then designed the classroom. Working on the project were the school district’s maintenance staff and school officials, Emily Pudliner from the National Park Service and the Johnstown students who are involved with a park service program that gives students insight into careers in environmental protection.
School officials who worked on the project include Vuckovich, high school Assistant Principal Michael Dadey and the school’s Freshmen Success Academy principal, Amy Arcurio.
Also helping were AmeriCorps members from Natural Biodiversity – Stephanie Collis and Chris Stamplis – and a summer intern from St. Francis University, Ashley Neptune.
The work was completed over three days last month.
The project included planting 200 plants and installing weed barriers and mulch.
The classroom features a gravel path that mimics the path of the Stonycreek River, which surrounds the high school on three sides.
There is a pollinator garden to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects as well as a raised bed for growing vegetables.
Dadey said the classroom can be used by any teacher for his or her class. Science classes in particular will find the outdoor classroom fitting when they study botany, he said.
“It’s always nice for students to go outside and get fresh air,” Dadey said. “Classroom don’t always have to have four walls.”
Teachers will be able to set up chairs for the students and conduct classes in the center of the classroom, he said.
There are plans to install a solar-powered fountain, Dadey said.
Vuckovich said the classroom will be an ongoing project with many students being able to make a contribution.
The project cost about $5,000 and was completed at no cost to the school district. The state Department of Environmental Protection’s Education Grants Program and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies funded the project.
Area businesses – Bruce Nursery at Davidsville, Stuver’s Riverside Nursery, Moxham Lumber, Milkie’s Lawn and Garden, and Wood Creations by Gary N Chrisie – donated materials and services to stretch the project’s funding to implement additional features, Strosnider said.
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