Rimbey Elementary staff and students are excited about seeing a new outdoor classroom come to fruition, and they are counting on community support to help make it happen.
"We plan to move and reface the sheds that are currently sitting on the southwest side of the school and then create this space," said Kelly LeBlanc, chair of the Parent Council and Parent Council Foundation.
She is also serving on the outdoor classroom committee.
As to the fundraiser, it's a 50/50 with money raised being directed towards the outdoor classroom which will support student learning and wellness, she said.
"The outdoor learning space will be located on the west side of Rimbey Elementary, and will include a landscaped amphitheater, a covered learning space complete with benches and a platform, a shed, lighting, and resources and materials to ensure easy use for teachers and students.
If they surpass $14,035 in sales, they will be hosting a school-wide ice cream float party sponsored by the Parent Council Foundation and Gathered and Grown Family Farm.
"If we sell out (sales totalling $20,000) our ice cream float party will become a school-wide pizza party sponsored by the RES Parent Council Foundation, Gathered and Grown Family Farm, and High Standard Mechanical."
LeBlance noted the parent council and foundation are quite active and have a common goal of improving the school and its space to provide students with an amazing space to learn in, and teachers with an excellent space to teach in.
"The outdoor classroom is especially important to us as it will give our students more opportunity to be outdoors, to engage their minds, and to interact more with nature.
"There are so many benefits physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially to having an outdoor classroom. An outdoor classroom gives students and opportunity to move their bodies, engage their minds, and offer a different type of learning."
There are several ways the community can help out.
Folks can support the online 50/50 raffle through rafflebox until May 12th. They can also support the school at the Evergreen Co-op BBQ on June 13th, and by making donations to the school (donations of $100 or more are eligible for an income tax receipt from Wolf Creek Public Schools).
"When our students have a beautiful space to learn, and our teachers have a beautiful space to teach in, everybody benefits," said LeBlanc.
To help support the project, check out www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/rescouncilfoundation.
