From Kansas City Star
Work began in Spring 2007 and was completed in time for the start of the next school year thanks to a $1,000 Missouri Department of Conservation grant, private donations and hard work from volunteers and staff.
On a perfect autumn morning, the bright pink, purple and yellow mums sway in the wind and leaves rustle near the radishes and turnips. A squirrel scampers across a nearby driveway.
A sign proclaims that part of the nature center is one Kansas City's 10,000 rain gardens.
And it seems like a normal garden.
Except for the Mother Mary statute in prayer. And the giggling and chattering kindergarteners waving leaves.
That's because the youngsters are embarking on a lesson that is part science, part math and part art. All at St. Elizabeth School's new Community Garden and Outdoor Classroom.
Work began last spring and was completed in time for the start of school thanks to a $1,000 Missouri Department of Conservation grant, private donations and hard work from volunteers and staff.
Principal Sandy Nickel said she is pleased with the garden, especially how it has brought in the community.
"It has just blossomed," she said. "All of these people came together to create this classroom. It is our own little place."
Teachers and staff rave about the garden, saying it provides invaluable instruction to children while giving them a vital release to pent-up energy.
Kindergarten teacher Joan Blasdel said the garden, for example, recently afforded important underpinning to lessons on American Indians.
"The garden ties into a lot of things we do. It's wonderful to get them outside," she said. "The fact is this is a classroom."
While the parish provides the fuel for the garden, at its heart is parent and part-time teacher Melissa Scanlon who drafted the grant request. On this cool fall morning, she's taking kindergartners on a scavenger hunt. Their mission: find different types of leaves ranging from mimosas to oaks.
"I'm going on a leaf hunt," the youngsters chant in unison in their best sing-song voices while stamping their feet.
After accomplishing their task, they reconvene at Scanlon's feet as she guides her "noisy little leaf hunters" in seeing which classmate has the biggest, the smallest or the most unusual looking leaf. At the opposite end of the garden, Renee Handley, a part-time art instructor, is working with students to make an impression drawings of leaves.
Six-year-old Sebastien Barrett quickly accomplishes his task. He says the garden makes learning more fun.
"I find a lot of different things," he murmurs.
Lucy Whittaker, 6, is riveted by acorns. She deviates from the assignment by attempting to trace sketch an acorn but discovers it's not flat like a leaf so it won't work. When she completes her assignment, she offers a shy smile when an instructor compliments her efforts.
"I like picking up acorns," she whispers while inspecting a clump of dirt on an acorn.
Sasha Blair says she loves learning outside.
"I get to pick up nature," the five-year-old confidently opines. "It's neat."
Sally Bell, an educational consultant for the state conservation department, said 11 private and public schools, including St. Elizabeth, received grants this year. As part of the grant, state representatives work with the teachers and students on training.
Bell said St. Elizabeth is doing a wonderful job.
"The transformation that one has taken is amazing," she said. "I believe what Melissa has engineered out there is going to shower all the children with so many different experiences they wouldn't get inside a classroom."
And Scanlon isn't resting on her laurels. She's already talking about future plans, which include getting more older St. Elizabeth students involved in it.
"I am interested to see where it will go in the next five years," she said.
Finding your own grant
For more information on the state grant or to apply for a grant, go to the Missouri Department of Conservation's web site at, Clickhere.
By Deann Smith
