ORANGE PARK—In an effort to promote the positives of outdoor learning, Grace Episcopal Day School welcomed students back to school this year with some brand-new campus additions. Replacing what was …
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ORANGE PARK—In an effort to promote the positives of outdoor learning, Grace Episcopal Day School welcomed students back to school this year with some brand-new campus additions.
Replacing what was once a large grass field in the back of the 75-year-old campus, now sits a new and improved turf.
Installed by SynLawn, the field will be used as a space for after-school activities, physical education classes and athletics.
The school currently hosts sports teams in two athletic leagues for its third-grade through eighth-grade students: the North Florida Independent Schools Athletic Conference and the Jacksonville Christian Athletic League.
Parallel to the new turf, this year’s students will also care for the school’s new chickens, Ruthie and Pearl, by not only tending to the chicken coop but also collecting eggs.
Furthering their mission to celebrate the outdoors, the school said they are continuing to grow its gardening program. Originally, only fourth-grade classes participated in the activity, but the program will expand to fifth graders, too.
Head of School Angela Bast said the changes are key elements of a five-year strategic plan the school created in the Spring. Bast said that in surveying parents and alumni, they found that families deeply look forward to the open air.
So, they remain dedicated to expanding the outdoor opportunities offered to students, further enriching the joy of childhood.
“In a world and culture where children are constantly bombarded by social media and the temptation to spend extra time on devices, we want to provide healthy and meaningful opportunities for children to enjoy nature."
