A message from the Green Schoolyards Manager: |
2023 was quite a year for the Green Schoolyards Action Network (GSAN) and 2024 is looking even better! This past November, GSAN convened key leaders from Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) and the City along with representatives from partner organizations and the CPS Student Advisory Council for the Green Schoolyards Action Network Roundtable. |
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The purpose of the Roundtable is to cultivate an on-going collaborative partnership between CPS & the City to achieve the education goals of the Green Cincinnati Plan. Outcomes from the GSAN Roundtable discussions set the stage for establishing teams to focus on funding, workforce development, school staff training, and integrated curriculum. The GSAN continues to meet at schools who are in most need of campus improvements to ensure students have safe and equitable access to outdoor learning (learn more about this boots-on-the-ground effort in the featured school section below).
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When The Green Schoolyards Action Network members work together to expand green space on school campuses and provide educational support, there are increased opportunities for teachers, students, and communities to thrive. Teaching children to nurture and care for the environment is a direct path for climate action and resiliency in neighborhoods now and in the future. The transformation happening on school grounds and the cultural shift towards sustainability does not happen in silos but rather collectively. I am incredibly grateful to be doing this work with all of you!
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In collaboration, Cynthia Walters Green Schoolyards Action Network Manager |
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20 Schools in 20 Months
Beginning in 2021, the Green Schoolyards Action Network (formally CPS Outside) began working with 20 prioritized schools who lacked safe and accessible access to outdoor learning opportunities. By the end of the 2023/2024 school year, 20 new campus improvements will include outdoor classroom seating, shade structures, raised beds & Tower Gardens, nature playscapes, traffic gardens and collaboration with The Common Orchard to install five school orchards.
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Educational Support
The Green Schoolyards Action Network continues to work with schools to develop green schoolyard (GSY) teams who are dedicated to ensuring the use and maintenance of each of the new outdoor learning features. Teacher GSY professional development will be offered to educators starting this month with the first session focusing on caring for the new trees and orchards. A district-wide GSY Manual and on-site GSY School Handbook will be distributed this spring, just in time for the completion of campus improvements.
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What’s Next? Site Assessments will begin at the remaining CPS schools to identify what locations are in need of campus improvements to become a model schoolyard. Please reach out if you would like to learn more about or participate in the site assessment process.
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A highlight of 2023 and into 2024 is a collective effort by Taking Root, GSAN, and CPS by adding tree canopy across the district to benefit schools and the surrounding community. Dedicated members from Taking Root organized over 89 tree plantings, on-site programing, and developed resources for CPS Schools. A tremendous thank you goes to Taking Root Board Members Pat Greeson, Jodie Zultowsky, Susan Fox, Travis Miller, Cheryl Kling, Suzanne Parkey, Patti Dold, Lauren Enda, Dave Gressley, Kevin O’Dell, John Maher, and Dave Gamstetter. The incredible Kendrick and O’Dell “dig team,” Rose Bohan, Alex Galan, Luis Ramirez, and Pedro Aguilar not only got the trees in the ground but also provided planting directions to CPS bilingual students as the trees were being planted!
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Featured School: Midway Academy, CPS |
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The staff at Midway Academy is transforming school culture with their efforts towards sustainability! The Midway Academy Outdoor Learning Committee was formed at the beginning of the school year to plan how the new garden, outdoor sensory panels, and orchard can be integrated into teaching and learning. During the January committee meeting, members worked on the Midway Green Schoolyards Handbook that will include maintenance instructions for each of the new features located on school grounds. The team of educators will also serve as tree stewards and plan to attend The Common Orchard Project Steward training sessions. The committee also shared that they are recipients of a recycling program for students to engage in reducing waste and explore composting. Kudos to Principal Hiawatha Francisco and educator Cathy Chandler who are organizing efforts to improve school culture and engage students in environmental stewardship!
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Start the new year off right by volunteering for Green Schoolyard expansion projects that get more kids outside to reap the benefits of the great outdoors! Volunteer opportunities are available for helping to install orchards at schools. Sign up here. |
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Growing the Green Schoolyards Action Network
We are continuing to build the network and are looking for individuals who have specific interest and expertise in: |
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- Engaging in the Green Schoolyards Action Network plan-design-implement process
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Supplying environmental education tools and resources for educators and students and/or offer field trips
- Identifying funding mechanisms for school districts/cities
- Workforce skills development/green careers pathways
- Providing school district professional development/ training for school staff
- Program and course development for
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pre-service teachers to prepare them for teaching & learning outside
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If you have an environmental education event geared toward school districts, educators, or students, please send your event information to cynthia@greenumbrella.org and to be included in the next Green Schoolyards Action Network newsletter in April. |
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Civic Garden Center: Teaching & Learning Outside |
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When thinking about CPS school garden curriculum, teacher professional development, and on-site programming, the Civic Garden Center is a one-stop shop for teaching & learning outside! Civic Garden Center has contributed a wide range of teacher tools and resources to the new Greater Cincinnati Regional Farm to School Curriculum Guide. They also run The Green Teens Challenge, which helps high school students explore the world of STEM careers and discover how they can make a meaningful impact on their world.
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This school year, Civic Garden Center is generously offering school garden support for teachers and on-site programming for students at five more schools! Civic Garden Center’s Ellie Falk and Mary Dudley are participating in the Green Schoolyards Action Network school team trainings that are happening in conjunction with the campus improvements.
Thank you, Civic Garden Center, for getting more students outside! |
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Green Umbrella leads collaboration, incubates ideas, and catalyzes solutions that create a resilient, sustainable region for all. |
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