SPOTSWOOD–Equipped with outdoor tables and a dry-erase whiteboard, Memorial Middle School welcomed students to its Spotswood Education Foundation Outdoor Learning Courtyard.
Memorial Middle School is home to 336 students and 42 teachers. Since the addition and expansion of the building in 2004, the school was left with a large outdoor space, according to a statement from the Spotswood Public Schools District.
Paraprofessional Kelly Bella and Memorial Middle School Nurse Katherine Shkolar researched the benefits of the creation of an outdoor learning environment, finding several powerful arguments suggesting the positive personal, social and educational opportunities to take students beyond their immediate indoor environment, according to the statement.
“Results show that when the students received outdoor lessons, they were significantly more engaged in their next instructional period on all measures than if they’d received lessons indoors,” Shkolar said. “According to research outdoor learning … restores depleted attention and improves immune function in children, much like it does in adults. [Also,] kids who are healthier, calmer and less depleted may simply learn better.”
Bella said the outdoor learning space is 5,400 square feet in total, with 48 tons of blue stones, 5.5 tons of red pathway stones and 600 square feet of sod for a lovely area to sit and read.
“It was a huge outdoor space which was not utilized. It’s a change of environment and fresh air for students and staff,” Shkolar said. “The students learn better in the surrounding of nature and fresh air.”
All of the landscaping for the outdoor space was completed in just six days by Fiorello Landscaping, according to Bella.
Principal Brian Kitchin said that math lessons are taught with the utilization of a dry-erase board, as well as language arts and foreign language classes.
After collaborating with Kitchin, Shkolar and Bella decided to reach out to the Spotswood Education Foundation (SEF) for possible funding of the project through a grant application, according to a prepared statement.
Spotswood Education Foundation President Nick Legakis said that from 2006 to 2019 the SEF has contributed to the Spotswood Public Schools District a cumulative total of 167 grants, totaling $108,775.09.
Kitchin also organized a three versus three basketball game in order to initiate fundraising for the start of the project, according to the statement.
In order to further beatify the outdoor space, Bella said the school is planning another basketball game, which will include food stands. The school is also planning a holiday cookie sale.
Shkolar said the school is planning future events but only tentative dates have been set.
“[The space] was named the Spotswood Education Foundation Outdoor Learning Courtyard since it was funded by the Spotswood Education Foundation,” Shkolar said. “A huge ‘thank you’ to the foundation’s President John Legakis and his members. The Spotswood Parent Teacher Association generously donated 10 benches/tables for student learning.”
For the official opening of the outdoor space, Kitchin said a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Oct. 21 at Memorial Middle School, located at 115 Summerhill Road.
During the ceremony, Kitchin said parent/teacher conferences took place where parents and students were able to sit and relax while waiting for their conference time. The school also held various fundraisers and meetings, as well as staff and students taking advantage of the space during their lunchtimes.
“I think it’s wonderful for both students and staff, as well as a cosmetic uplift for our school,” Shkolar said.
For more information, visit www.memorial.spsd.us or call 732-723-2200.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
