Shasta Elementary Unveils New Outdoor Classroom
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Students have a new place to learn at Shasta Elementary. It doesn’t have desks, a white board, windows or even a ceiling. That’s because the entire classroom is outside.
“It’s meant to be just that, to give our students the opportunity to be outside and have a change of environment and enjoy their fresh air,” said Krissy Dodson, Shasta Boosters Outdoor Renovation team lead.
She spoke Monday at the official ribbon-cutting event marking the opening of the outdoor classroom at Shasta Elementary, the first of its kind in the district. Representatives from the Shasta Boosters and Blue Zones Project Klamath Falls attended. Shasta is one of four Blue Zones Approved schools in the Klamath County School District.
After Principal David Wehr cut the ribbon, Dena Morosin’s fourth grade class held the first official session in the outdoor classroom.
“We wanted to ride the community momentum of being healthy,” Dodson said, “and making it easy for the kids to be outside, have fresh air and be active.”
The project was funded by the Boosters’ Spring Fling and a generous donation from Umpqua Bank. During spring break, local Klamath company Alder Creek Landscaping completed the majority of the work constructing the classroom. Total build time was less than two weeks.
Supporters hope the space will be used outside of school times, after class and on the weekends. Scout groups, sports teams, parent groups and families could all potentially use it.
“We also see it being a good piece for the neighborhood,” Dodson said. “What a great place to meet and have a nice time together. We’re really wanting it to be a community asset.”
The Shasta Boosters created the Outdoor Renovation Team with the goal of improving the grounds and outdoor portions of the school. In recent years that team re-painted the school’s second gym and installed a new sign, installed new playground equipment and planted a memorial garden. Through input from parents, teachers, students, staff, community members and school neighbors, the renovation team identified the outdoor classroom as a priority.
“This is just another one of those pieces that are really going to enrich everybody here,” Wehr said, “and encourage this place to be the hub of this small community that’s here at Shasta.”
To learn more about the Shasta Boosters or to donate to the Outdoor Renovation Project, contact Shasta Elementary at 541-883-5060.
Press release and photography provided from Samantha Tippler, Public Relations, Klamath County School District.