Episode 152: Growing Young Minds with an Outdoor Garden at Riverton Elementary

Anthony Godfrey:
Hello, and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. They are thinking outside the box, looking beyond the typical classroom to give students a hands-on learning experience. On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to Riverton Elementary School, where they are growing young minds using an outdoor garden. Find out how it works and why students can't get enough of what has truly become an outdoor classroom.

We’re here with Katie Fuller, the PTA President. Katie, what has PTA's involvement been in this outdoor classroom?

Katie Fuller:
Well, about two and a half years ago, actually three years ago now, my little brother came to me. His daughter had started school here and I was involved in PTA and he helped plant this space when he was a student here. And he said, ‘it's really not been taken care of these last few years and it needs some help. And what can you as a PTA do?’ And so we got involved in cleaning up the space and kind of renewing and refreshing and starting to take care of it again after it had kind of been neglected for a couple of years.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah. And has your brother been out to see it since it's been spruced up?

Katie Fuller:
He has, he actually came.

Anthony Godfrey:
I don't know if there is spruce. Can I say that it's spruced up? Since it's been Oaked up or Aspened up? I don't know. Okay. We'll get to that. We'll get to that.

Katie Fuller:
He came out and helped with one of our cleanup activities and we've had probably about a hundred volunteers come out and help with cleanup. We've had some community involvement from different businesses that have been willing to help us. And we've worked with the forest department to get some new trees and just really worked hard to get it cleaned back up. And we're grateful we have this space. It's really an unusual thing. I think for an elementary school to have something like this.

Anthony Godfrey:
It's gorgeous. I love it. And I love that PTA has jumped in as PTA does to help where you see the need. I'm on the state executive board for PTA. I love PTA and I love that you've been involved in this now. I was at a great community night that you put on, that the PTA put on, food trucks and everything. And part of that was also celebrating 25 years. Ish I saw the ish after the 25 years. 

Katie Fuller:
COVID kinda messed up our timeline. Yes.

Anthony Godfrey:
25 or so. But it's been here for a long time and it's really exciting to see it receive some love and attention that it needed. So thank you for making that possible. Over a hundred volunteers. And what did you hear from people as they were part of this?

Katie Fuller:
Mostly that they were amazed at what was here. A lot of people I think, are not aware of this, even our students. The first time I walked out here and was coming out to just kind of see how things looked, I had several students approach me and tell me they thought the space was haunted and that I should stay out.

Anthony Godfrey:
Well, there's always that possibility, I suppose.

Katie Fuller:
So I think there were some students who just were not familiar with it. And I think even more so the parents. The parents who have come out have just been awestruck by what a large space it is first of all. And then just how beautiful and quiet it is. Even when their classes playing at recess, it's quiet and peaceful here.

Anthony Godfrey:
It is quiet and peaceful. And I was telling the kids I've been here just a few minutes and I already feel better. It's really secluded, surprisingly secluded for an elementary playground. It's the power of nature. That's for sure. Yeah. Well, thank you again for everything you've done to make it what it is right now. Katie Fuller:
Thank you.

Anthony Godfrey:
We're here with Jeran Farley with Forestry, Fire and State Lands, and his division has been very instrumental in making this possible as well. Tell me about your involvement.

Jeran Farley:
Okay. So I'm the Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, and as part of that position we distribute grants. Most of them are funds that we receive from the forest service. We distribute grants for communities and also for schools for urban forestry projects. We started a new grant last year specifically geared towards outdoor classrooms. And the first school that actually applied was Riverton Elementary. So I was able to work with Katie and other members of the PTA. They applied for this grant and they already had this space existing, which was great. So we were able to focus on granting money for materials, outdoor educational materials, which they have now in the shed. So now kids can come out and use these materials and actually utilize this space and learn in it and they can study the leaves. They can study the insects and the birds and all the things that are out here. Additionally, we are able to use some more of that funding to add an additional 10 or so trees to the space.

Anthony Godfrey:
Well, it's a beautiful space and all the trees you added make a difference because it feels very secluded. And you really can't tell, it's kind of a magical forest because as you walk up, you don't imagine that there's so much space in here. And that there are tables and chairs or benches, and that there are paths through here, because the trees just kind of set it apart from the rest of the property. Now you had a planting day at the end of last year I understand.

Jeran Farley:
It's one of the last weeks of school last year, 2021. And we had Tree Utah come out and help us plant the trees. We had all of the kids in the entire school come out class by class and assisted in planting all the trees. They learned their names and they just, it was kind of almost a field day type of experience. It was just so much fun for me to see all the kids participating and learning the proper way to plant a tree. It was a great experience.

Anthony Godfrey:
Well, I think you've planted some enthusiasm in kids for nature and for understanding the world around them at a deeper level. We have a shed full of material here. Now the shed itself is new as well. Correct?

Jeran Farley:
That is correct. Yes.

Anthony Godfrey:
So, walk me through some of what we've got here. Oh, we've got an emergency supply of sidewalk chalk. If anyone needs sidewalk chalk in a pinch, we are well stocked here. This is awesome. You've really thought this through.

Katie Fuller:
So our outdoor classroom chairperson and our group as a PTA have worked together. We wanted some flexible seating. So we got these five gallon buckets with lids for the students to be able to sit on and they can spread out throughout the outdoor classroom or move around in small groups. However, the teacher wants them to be able to interact. And we have a teacher bucket that has supplies that they might need. So scissors, a little emergency kit, anything you can think of that they might need. We've got glue scissors, pencils, measuring tapes, colored pencils. So the idea is to not have to cart everything out from the building. That it's all right here for the teachers to use when they need it. Clipboards. We recently had Walmart just donated tons and tons of seeds. So we're trying to decide how we want to use those with our students and let them kind of experience growing some great plants. We've got magnifying glasses and rulers and just lots of materials for them to be able to use and enjoy the space and be creative in how they work in the outdoor classroom.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah. I love that. You've made it a lot easier and more user friendly because you walk out here and it's all right here waiting for you. Lots of wild bird feed too. I've heard, I can't identify them by any stretch, but I've heard four or five different birds at least out there.

Katie Fuller:
We have some blue jays and some crows that like to hang out. I know those are some of our residents out there.

Anthony Godfrey:
The crow really wanted to be a guest on the podcast, there's no question about that. I'm just really overwhelmed at this. This is such an immersive environment for kids to learn in and it's the deep type of learning that we're always looking for. The type of learning that sticks because it's, it's all around them.

Katie Fuller:
Yeah. We were lucky our outdoor classroom coordinator is a former teacher and so she had the insights into what would be useful for curriculum and for the things that we're doing in the outdoor classroom space.

Anthony Godfrey:
This is fantastic.

Katie Fuller:
We also have a box of books for teachers to use that are nature based and social, emotional learning based. So it's a great space for them to enjoy those books together as a class.

Anthony Godfrey:
It's wonderful. What a great experience for everyone. Can you talk me through some of the trees that were planted this last time around?

Jeran Farley:
So I wanted to focus on trees that had differences in say their leaves and their seeds so that kids could look and see maybe those are pinnate leaves or those have leaflets. Those have acorns, those have samaras, those have needles, just so that they could go around and identify all kinds of different types of trees. Because there's so many different varieties out there. And oftentimes in our urban environments, we have what's called a monoculture. We have just one or two types of trees throughout towns. And so I think learning tree species diversity is very important. Learning that there's so many different kinds of trees out there and giving them the experience to see those.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me more about the Urban and Community Forestry. Is that the term that you used? Tell me more about what that involves.

Jeran Farley:
Okay. Urban Forestry is basically, it's a lot. It's pretty similar to somebody who works out in the forest, a forester, however, it's in an urban environment. But they do the same kind of things. They're stewards for the trees. They maintain them. They make sure that they have proper health. They do pruning. And then, like I say they make sure that they get the right tree in the right place.

Anthony Godfrey:
The right tree in the right place. What goes into a decision like that?

Jeran Farley:
Well, in our urban environments, there's often, there's so many different microclimates. You've got areas where you've got pavement, where you've got reflective heat. So there's certain trees that can't tolerate that kind of heat coming up from the sidewalk. So you've gotta look at trees that can handle radiant heat. You've got different wind environments, you've got pollution, you've got small spaces, you've got power lines. There's trees that can fit in all these different places. But you've got to know how big your tree's gonna get. You've gotta know what kind of soils it can tolerate. And then even down to things like what color is it gonna be in the fall? What the leaves look like, just so that you can get a good looking tree in a good space. That's gonna not only survive, but it's gonna thrive.

Anthony Godfrey:
The right tree in the right place. There's a deeper metaphor there for sure. That's really, that just gets me thinking about all the trees that I pass as I'm driving around town. And I'm not even thinking about the fact that there's an urban forest spread throughout the city that needs care and attention and some intentionality in the way that it's planned and planted.

Jeran Farley:
Yep. It's often overlooked. And I mean, that that's both good and bad. Oftentimes people don't notice the urban forest unless there's a problem, a broken limb or a dead tree. So often, if they don't notice a forest, maybe that's a good thing. But at the same time, it's nice to be aware and realize what goes into keeping an urban forest healthy.

Anthony Godfrey:
As an occupational hazard, do you notice trees everywhere you go? And drive up to a friend's house and say, oh, you shouldn't have planted that one there. That's not the right tree.

Jeran Farley:
Yep. In fact, I have to hold my tongue a lot of times and just say, ‘I'm glad you planted a tree.’ That's okay.

Anthony Godfrey:
Alright. I need you to drive by my house and tell me what is wrong with the trees at my house and what trees I ought to put there. Because I was thinking about that the other day out in my yard. I thought, I, you know, I moved into this house. I don't know if those are the trees that ought to be there. So that's really exciting that you have that knowledge and that it's passing on to the kids and that we benefit throughout our community from that program and from your division. So thank you very much for your help here at Riverton Elementary.

Jeran Farley:
My pleasure.

Anthony Godfrey:
Stay with us. When we come back, we'll talk with students about the outdoor classroom and why they like it so much.

Break:
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Anthony Godfrey:
All right, we are at Riverton Elementary out in the outdoor classroom. It smells great out here. It sounds great. And it feels great to be outside. We're with some students who have actually used the classroom. Why don't you tell me your name, what grade you're in and tell me about being in the outdoor classroom.

Brooklyn:
My name is Brooklyn and I'm in fifth grade. And my class came out here to plant tulips and it's a nice way to feel calmer and relieve some stress. 

Eli:
My name is Eli. I am in fifth grade and my class came out here to release butterflies.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about releasing the butterflies.

Eli:
Okay. In our classroom, we had raised a bunch of butterflies from, I believe just caterpillars. And we learned a lot about them, until you watched them grow until eventually when they had hatched from their cocoon, then they were just butterflies. We came and released them out into here.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about planning the tulips, what was involved there?

Brooklyn:
So one of our classmates brought in the shovels and we used those to plant the tulip bulbs. Like, we were going in groups because one of our other classmates had brought puppies and we were all distracted, but we were going in groups to plant tulips. A lot of the ones on the outside edges died because people weren't taking care of them, but hopefully they'll get better.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah. And now where are the tulips? Point to where those are here.

Brooklyn:
So, they're kind of all over the place. Like we didn't just plant them in one place. Like some people planted like over here or over there.

Anthony Godfrey:
Oh yeah. Okay. I see some right over here. Very nice. Well, that's great. Well, they'll continue to make this a beautiful spot. And I like that there's a bird in the background that wants to be on the podcast too. Can't blame him. Now, there he is. Tell me about your experience.

Seth:
My name is Seth and I'm in second grade. And my class came out here to do scavenger hunts.

Anthony Godfrey:
And tell me about the scavenger hunt. What were you looking for?

Seth:
There were just like pictures on these cards that were hanging on strings all over the place. And we had a clipboard with papers that showed us the pictures. We had to find those pictures that are hanging down and there are numbers on it. And we write the numbers on the circles on the paper.

Anthony Godfrey:
That sounds pretty fun. So you get to go out into a natural habitat for butterflies and do a scavenger hunt. That's pretty awesome. How about you?

Charlie:
Hi, my name is Charlie and I am in second grade. My class came out here to do some reading and drawing.

Anthony Godfrey:
And how does it feel to read and draw outside in this classroom instead of an inside classroom?

Charlie:
It feels good to feel the soft air and to have something to draw.

Anthony Godfrey:
And is it inspiring for your art to be outside and to see some beautiful things around you?

Charlie:

Yes, it is very beautiful.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yes. It's great out here. I can imagine that would really be a boost to creativity. Tell me about your experience.

Shlok:
I am Shlok. 

Anthony Godfrey:
What grade are you in?

Shlok:
I'm in second grade. So we came out here to do reading math and drawing and a lot of activities.

Anthony Godfrey:
How is it doing math outside versus inside?

Shlok:
It's, we don't struggle to do math a lot.

Anthony Godfrey:
Do you like doing math outside versus inside?

Shlok:
Yes, we, I like doing math outside then inside.

Anthony Godfrey:
The fresh air maybe clears your mind a little bit.?

Shlok:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
What's your favorite subject?

Shlok:
Math.

Anthony Godfrey:
Math is your favorite? That's great. Okay. Well what do you guys think just overall about having an outdoor classroom?

Brooklyn:
Well, when I was at my other school, or any of my other schools, they never had anything like it. So it's very unique and I think it sends across a great message and is really nice for the students to have too.

Anthony Godfrey:
That's great. Well, thanks a lot you guys. 

We're here with Michael Marett talking about the history of our outdoor classroom. You've been involved with this for quite a long time.

Michael Marett:
We started this probably 1996, the concept, then started actually working on it then in May 28th. I keep a journal of what I've done through my life, and on May 28, 1998, we dedicated this classroom to the existing principal at the time, Bonnie Dahl, who originally had the idea and really pushed hard to get it, make it happen. So we got a cement pig, a life size cement pig, because her

Anthony Godfrey:
Now wait, now, wait a minute. You just said life size cement pig, right? 

Michael Marett:
Right, life size. Not, not live cement pig.

Anthony Godfrey:
Right, but not a small cement pig. 

Michael Marett:
Oh no, it was like six foot long, four foot high.

Anthony Godfrey:
That went, that took a left turn that I wasn't expecting. 

Michael Marett:
That was her spirit animal.

Anthony Godfrey:
Wow.

Michael Marett:
So we went and bought this cement pig. Brought it in here and we put a plaque on it, commemorating her. And this was on May 28, 1998. By then the classroom had been outlined, and most of the trees had been planted. We'd had, by that time we got the grants and stuff to put the tables in. And so we actually had a nice little outdoor classroom. It looked nothing like what it does today, because everything was small and short and there were two or three existing ash trees that they left here. That was part of the school cuz all along here had been ash trees before they passed away. These are the only three left original. 

Anthony Godfrey:
Of the ash trees?

Michael Marett:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
And they're big. They're huge. It reminds me of the old adage. When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. And when's the second best time? Right now. So we're seeing both here. Recently planted trees and trees that we've benefited from for decades.

Michael Marett:
You seem to have adopted to this forestry thing real well. You actually know some of the stuff. That's great. But the original concept of this was to keep it native. Native plants in Utah. At one time, I think we had the best garden for native plants in the whole state. Because we had had everything from plants from Southern Utah, all the Northern Utah plants. And some of 'em had different watering needs. That's how come the irrigation became kind of a problem. 

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah, I heard that you had to adapt the system here because the trees were getting watered as frequently as the grass was. And it wasn't good for some of the trees.

Michael Marett:
Right? Most native trees don't get that much water in Utah. And as evidence in the last couple years, it's really shown that there's trees that do thrive a lot better with this desert climate we're having now.

Anthony Godfrey:
But my only question is what happened to the cement pig? Where is it?

Michael Marett:
You know, it was out there in the lawn. So it took an awful lot of watering, which pigs don't need that much water either. And it just slowly started falling apart. And after about five or six years, we had to just pick it up and take it away because it just wasn't hanging in there anymore.

Anthony Godfrey:
It's just the inexorable march of time that none of us can avoid. All right.

Michael Marett:
It got too old, too fast. 

Anthony Godfrey:
You know. Fair enough. Thank you to both of you for, at various times throughout Riverton Elementary's history making this possible.

Michael Marett:
Well, I personally like to thank Jaren for coming back in here and making a difference back in here again too. So yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
Thank you very much.

We're talking now with Joel Pullan, the principal at Riverton Elementary. Joel, you're pretty lucky to have an outdoor classroom at your school.

Joel Pullan:
You know, I kind of walked into paradise.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah, and you get to walk out to paradise anytime you want.

Joel Pullan:
I do.

Anthony Godfrey:
You can hear the birds chirping. Is the sky bluer here? Is it like brighter blue here than it is anywhere else? It feels like it. 

Joel Pullan:
We call that Riverton Elementary blue.

Anthony Godfrey:
Okay. Fair enough. I think it's fabulous out here. Tell me what impact has this had on the school?

Joel Pullan:
The impact's been significant and I think that impact is represented over the years of community working together with the school to do great things. And so that's what this space represents. A sense of community and school working together.

Anthony Godfrey:
Well, coming to Riverton Elementary, you came to paradise, but you also came to a community that over the decades has wanted to jump in and create great, unique experiences for students. And that's really rewarding.

Joel Pullan:
That's true. It's great to be a part of it.

Anthony Godfrey:
Well, thanks for taking the time everyone. What a gorgeous space and this won't be my last visit. I'll just be stopping by, maybe unannounced. You never know. 

Joel Pullan:
We look forward to seeing you here.

Anthony Godfrey:
All right. Thanks very much. 

Thanks for joining us on another episode of the Supercast. Remember, education is the most important thing you'll do today. We'll see out there.