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Eastern York student presents outdoor classroom garden funded largely by donations and discounts
Summary
A student from Eastern High School described a two-year volunteer-driven outdoor classroom project, saying donations and industry discounts covered most costs and more than two dozen volunteers helped install the space.
Emma, a student at Eastern High School, presented an outdoor classroom project at the Eastern York School District board meeting and described two years of volunteer work and fundraising that created the garden space.
The project, Emma told the board, collected nearly $4,000 in donations and used additional voluntary contributions plus discounts secured through family connections in the horticulture industry to reduce the district’s out‑of‑pocket cost to $2,250. She said the work involved more than 25 volunteers at different times and contributions from about 10 local businesses, and that the group plans to install a sign recognizing sponsors at the outdoor classroom site.
Board members and administrators thanked Emma and other volunteers for the work and said they plan to use the space for student lessons and family events. ‘‘On behalf of the district and the Canadawkhly students, we truly appreciate all that you’ve done for us,’’ an administrator said, adding that staff plan family engagement events and classroom lessons tied to the outdoor space.
District officials noted that weather had delayed a previously planned family night and said teachers will incorporate the outdoor classroom into curricula. No formal board action was required or taken on the presentation during the meeting.
The student presentation highlighted volunteer labor and private donations as the primary funding sources; Emma said discounts obtained through horticulture‑industry contacts reduced the materials cost substantially, and she listed the volunteer and business support that made the project possible.
The district’s communications and facilities staff were not quoted about maintenance or long‑term upkeep during the meeting; the board did not take other formal steps related to the garden at this session.
