BUFFALO, N.Y. — St. Joseph University School on Main Street in Buffalo is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year by starting a new chapter, and taking learning outside.
"We're very excited to be able to bring a new dimension to the school and it's going to be outdoor education," Director of Curriculum and Partnerships Anne Wojick said. "Phase One is going to include a structure for gardening and a shed for our gardening equipment. We'll be doing some gardening that will be from farm to table, and that's going to be very exciting for our students to be able to grow things and eat them."
There will also be an area for students to have lunch outside, as well as a natural classroom with a greenhouse and koi pond.
"They will learn how to take math outdoors, how to take obviously science, but reading, and bring it out to the outdoors," Wojick said. "This will give our students an opportunity for some fresh air, some exercise, but also a little different slant on curriculum, so we're very excited about it."
All of this thanks to a grant from a private donor, and inspired by a field trip the school took last year to Camp Turner in Salamanca.
"They got outside they got to do a lot of teamwork and basically run around in the woods and look for stuff," Principal Mark Mattle said. "They really did come together. So last year we saw firsthand the beauty of nature and what it can do to bring kids together."
Outdoor learning will take place in the winter too, and involve the entire school community, pre-k through eighth grade.
More information about St. Joseph University School is available on the school website.