Students, partners showcase Salina green schoolyards and seek grants for next phase

Students and staff from Salina Elementary and Salina Intermediate presented the Dearborn Board of Education on May 11 about the district’s Green Schoolyards project, describing how outdoor learning spaces, rain gardens and prairie plantings have changed student recess and hands-on learning.

Student speakers said the program encouraged composting, outdoor exploration and environmental stewardship. "Even small efforts like learning more, spreading awareness, and making better choices can help create a cleaner and healthier future," said sixth-grade student Jenna Shab during the presentation.

School leaders and the project coalition outlined past and planned phases: completed kindergarten and upper-playground renovations, expanded garden and learning areas, a planned mini soccer/recreation field and a proposed ecological sound and climate wall intended to reduce industrial noise and mitigate stormwater impacts. Presenters said the coalition has secured almost $3 million in cash grants and about $300,000 in in-kind donations (materials and labor) to date.

Dr. Joe Choco described features the planned climate wall could provide, including plantings that can reduce measured sound and improve local air and water resilience; the presenters emphasized that the work has been grant-driven and district infrastructure money has not been used for the project.

Trustees praised student speakers and project leaders and asked for details about fundraising and expansion; presenters said phase four is being advanced through competitive grants and partner support and that the school hopes to pilot the model for other district sites.

The district will continue to seek grants and philanthropic partners as phase planning proceeds; no district budget appropriation for the project was reported at the May 11 meeting.