Garden Oaks Elementary leads the way in 'green' education

Garden Oaks Elementary in near northwest Houston is starting off the school year with plans to turn the campus greener. The school located on Sue Barnett Street in the Garden Oaks subdivision, already has one of the more beautifully landscaped campuses in the district. Building on this natural setting, new principal Lindsey Pollock is making the outdoors a part of the curriculum. "We at Garden Oaks," she says, "are dedicated to the development of the whole child. In keeping with this goal, we emphasize the importance of having children work and explore in outdoor spaces through our campus pond and gardens."

The school is home to a Texas certified schoolyard habitat. Here children sit on logs in an outdoor classroom while they learn firsthand the science and wonder of nature. Children can also walk through the pond area where various types of plants and insects are identified as part of a science lesson.

Mrs. Pollock has embraced the outdoor classroom concept. "I became very concerned with the issue of children losing their connection to the outdoors after reading the book, 'Last Child in the Woods,' which details our children's lack of connection to the natural environment. This is a critical issue for all of us as we deal as a society and global community with the tremendous issues that face us and our earth. We strive to help children develop an awareness and respect for the earth through activities such as recycling and gardening," she says.

The book, by Richard Louv, has gotten national attention for its advocacy of outdoor learning and play for children. A bill has been introduced in Congress called the "No Child Left Inside Act," which would allot federal funds for states for outdoor education programs.

An after school activity is a garden club in which children learn how to grow vegetables. With the help of volunteers from Urban Harvest, the children maintain a vegetable garden on the school campus.

One of the more ambitious projects proposed for the school grounds is the construction of a labyrinth and dry creek bridge. The plans are an Eagle Scout service project with Boy Scout Troop 20. The dry creek with landscaping and a bridge are being built to solve a drainage issue and further beautify the campus. The labyrinth will be used as a peaceful and meditative location for children to spend a quiet time. The labyrinth will be made of crushed granite and paving stones surrounded by Indian Hawthorne bushes. The school is asking for contributions of time, money and materials to begin the project.

Parents also play an important role in keeping Garden Oaks Elementary green. The green committee consist of volunteers who are involved in recycling projects, gardens, grounds and beautification. Parents donate their time to landscape and care for the many plants and flowers on the school grounds.

The recycling project is just getting under way. Each class will get a box to decorate for collecting cans, paper and plastic. Every week a member of the "green team" from the recycling committee will pick up the boxes to take to receptacles. Mrs. Pollock says that the project is a good way for the children to learn about recycling.

Garden Oaks is a TEA Recognized School and boasts an excellent academic program which is "enriched with 'green' focus to be environmentally responsible." Principal Lindsey Pollock is leading the way for Garden Oaks to be at the forefront of outdoor and environmental education.

(The Banner, September 7, 2008)