SALISBURY — Hillary Shores and Callie Michaels, two teachers at Sacred Heart School, were recently awarded “GO OUTSIDE” grants of $5,000 each from the N.C. Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council – for a total of $10,000 for the school’s outdoor learning spaces and STREAM programs.
Shores, who teaches middle school science, received funding for a covered outdoor classroom that will be adjacent to the school’s existing Master Garden area. Picnic tables will be used as learner workspaces and installed pergolas will provide shade during hot weather. Shores also received funding for an outdoor weather station to record daily weather conditions and to create student discussions on climate change and weather patterns. She also plans to install a magnifying station to allow for detailed investigations of natural items.
“I am thrilled to have been awarded this $5000 grant to continue to develop our outdoor learning opportunities at Sacred Heart. The SHCS administration continues to encourage the creative use of our 100-acre property to ensure the COVID safety of our students. ‘Go OUTSIDE’ is a BIG theme at our school. Also, I am introducing a new 8th grade curriculum in Environmental Science for high school credit. The addition of a weather station and a magnifying station will help support this new curriculum,” Shores said.
Michaels, who teaches third grade, received funding for an outdoor learning space for the arts – music, art and theater. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Sacred Heart School must limit shared spaces and shared teachers. This $5,000 grant will help create an outdoor space where students can continue to grow in the arts in a safe outdoor environment. Michaels received funding for various outdoor musical instruments, easels, and chalkboards for art projects. In addition, she plans to add a shade system and stage for drama productions and other imaginary play.
“We plan to begin construction and installation in September, which will allow for our students to take advantage of the cooler fall weather. My plan is for our elementary students to utilize this outdoor arts area twice per week: once for using the art supplies, and once for drama performance and/or exploring the outdoor musical instruments,” Michaels said.
Principal Tyler Kulp said he is excited about these new outdoor areas. “I am so proud of my teachers who continue to think outside the box – ‘OUTSIDE’! Our teachers have had a lot added to their plates this year, but they continue to step up over and over again – all for the safety of our students as well as creating incredible learning environments for our students.”
Sacred Heart School is using Sacred Heart Parish’s 100-acre campus for more STREAM learning opportunities –everything from explore a 5K nature and cross country trail which weaves throughout the property to gardening, in which they plant trees, flowers, vegetables, fruits and herbs, as well as manage honeybee hives and a flock of chickens.
— Robin Fisher, Special to the Catholic News Herald. Robin Fisher is marketing and communications director at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury.
