GSCES Courtyard Classroom Project
A Maryland Green Schools project
Mission of the Project
Welcome to the courtyard at Great Seneca Creek Elementary School in Germantown, MD. We are a Maryland Green School , where are students, families and staff are participating in a collaborative project to create an outdoor learning space. On November 13, 2021, we completed Phase I of our project!
Phase I - Complete!
Green Committee
We formed a committee including staff, administrators, PTA Board members and staff from Black Hill Nature Programs, one of our local Green Centers (Montgomery Parks).
Here is a picture of the space BEFORE we stated Phase I.
Planning & Goals
We identified our goals - our courtyard already had some garden features but lacked an instructional space for outdoor learning where students would be comfortable and focused on learning.
Ms. Lynette Lenz, Staff Naturalist at Black Hill Nature Programs works with students and families to clean up the Imaginarium Garden we created in Spring, 2018. See below for the "after" picture!
Planning & Goals
The courtyard has garden features that were created in previous years that need repair and maintenance due to school closures from 2020.
We've adopted a "Keep it Simple" approach - all new features must be designed for minimal maintenance. With guidance from our Black Hill friends, we plan to garden with native perennials that require less maintenance & are drought tolerant.
Here is a photo of Aldo's design. Mrs. Kim Skufca, a member of our committee, teaches architectural drawing at SVHS.
Design Process
Bullfrog alumnus Aldo Diaz created the scaled design in his landscape architecture class at Seneca Valley High School from a sketch by committee member, Mrs. Ryan Diaz.
We are so lucky to have such talented volunteers!
Using the scaled drawing, we calculated how much mulch would be needed for the space. Thank you, Pope Farm, for delivering the materials to our school!
Materials & Donors for Phase I
With support from Black Hill Nature Programs, we received a donation of mulch, tree stumps and "tree cookies" from Pope Farm Nursery, the 92-acre nursery for Montgomery Parks.
Community Work Day
Our wonderful PTA provided outreach and volunteers for our 1st Community Work Day! We had a terrific turn out on Saturday, Nov. 13th to dig, haul, lay fabric and clean up our courtyard. Thank you so much for your hard work and amazing effort!
When we work together, we can do anything!
Phase II - Here We Come!
What will happen in Phase II?
As part of Phase II, the committee will be actively planning and preparing for Spring, 2022.
Here are some of the goals we've identified:
Fund-raising and grant writing
Purchase and installation of a "shade sail" over the learning space.
Create and fund the "teacher space" with outdoor whiteboard and workbench.
Create and landscape outdoor reading space/nook.
Purchase carts, gear and other outdoor learning materials.
Revitalize kinetic sculpture garden with edging and plantings.
Re-plant and re-design the Pollinator Garden.
Grade level projects aligned to curricular goals.
Host Professional Development for staff on using the Courtyard Classroom for instruction.
Submit for re-certification - Maryland Green Schools.
Plan Earth Day Community Work Day in April.
Questions?
Contact: Ms. Stacey Flynn
Green Leader & Media Specialist
stacey_p_flynn@mcpsmd.org
Great Seneca Creek Elementary School
Scott Curry, Principal
We are grateful for the support of our Maryland Green Space partner, Black Hill Nature Programs.
Jennifer Scully, Program Dir.