(McQueeney) – The learning space at McQueeney Elementary School has officially grown by a few square feet. Thanks to a vision that encompassed the needs of the overall child, a new courtyard learning space has been planted at the local campus.
Leading the effort is Jennifer Baker, the technology teacher at McQueeney Elementary School. Baker says thanks to a grant from the Seguin Education Foundation, she was able to expand learning opportunities to the courtyard space that now serves both students and staff.
“I just had the idea especially after COVID and we are a LINK campus which is great and it’s been very successful, but I wanted to give an atmosphere and an environment for these kids to really learn – not just about nature but just to get out and be able to express themselves because of everything that COVID had kind of brought and for the teachers, I wanted to provide an atmosphere for them. They work so hard. Time is very valuable so if I could set this foundation for them to come out and use it, then I believe that’s very successful,” said Baker.
Not only does this newly invented space host a number of interactive learning spaces such as a chicken coop and bug collection station and butterfly garden. It also serves as a perfect space for regular visits by “Bruce,” a large live turtle.
Baker says she is pleased by how the space turned out and thanks the students for their inspiration.
“The kids, they are my inspiration. They are always telling me about things that they see outside. They are bringing me bugs. They are bringing me all kinds of things and so when I saw the courtyard, I thought what a great opportunity and I had collaborated with a few teachers to get some ideas to make sure that we are all kind of all on the same page with things and then I just started trying to get donations and applying for grants and to make things happen. I think we intend to do things but again time gets away from us, so I just went full force into it. We have to do this for the kids. We have to plant those seeds with them today,” said Baker.
With the added amenities at the campus, Baker hopes that they can now be a part of a child’s overall wellbeing. She says everything included in the green space was done with the child in mind.
“We are the constant in a lot of these children’s’ lives and sometimes things change up on a daily basis at home but if we can be here and support them and be that face that they see that they know that we love them and care enough about them to go that extra, we are just planting a see for success for all of McQueeney,” said Baker.
Bakers says she applauds the SEF for providing the initial seed money to help kick off the project.
“I am so thankful that the foundation gave our little Pioneer Club money to help just seed this project. It’s not a conventional kind of classroom request and so I wanted them to see where their good deed has led McQueeney. We have a great foundation now and the only place that we can go is up from here,” said Baker.
The support shown to the courtyard, however, has come from all over. Baker says it has truly taken a team to plant this idea into action.
“Green Jay Nursery is not here today but I wanted to give them a shoutout. They did donate a large amount of soil to us. I’ve had parents donate soil and money. Hog Trap Ranch has donated quite a few plants and I’ve gotten donations from Baker (Creek) Heirloom Seed which is like in Minnesota. They sent us over 1,000 seed packets to start in our little green house, so we don’t have a border here. It goes beyond borders – another state is helping another state’s school to succeed and it’s heartwarming,” said Baker.
Amazed by how the project turned out is Kelly Follis, the executive director of the SEF. Follis says this is one project that the group is looking forward to seeing grow.
“I am thrilled to be seeing one of our grants in action. McQueeney Elementary’s Mrs. Baker had the vision to start this sort of back to nature –really educate kids about conservation, about gardening, about just how nature is all around us and that they can see miracles in nature everywhere they go and so it’s wonderful to be able to see what our hard work of raising money actually does for children. They couldn’t be more excited. There were a bunch of kids out showing us things, definitely learning things and it’s a joy to be able to contribute to things like this so it makes what we do all worthwhile,” said Follis.
A special ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the space was held Friday. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the school’s annual observance of Earth Day.