A school district on the border of Piatt and DeWitt Counties is developing an outdoor education space for students.
DeLand-Weldon Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Tresnak indicates that one of their middle school science teachers, Janelle Harper, has been passionately pursuing funding to help the district develop an outdoor space that she and other educators can use to supplement their lessons and promote getting outdoors.
In this effort, the district invited conservation experts to help them plan out what and where they can plant to develop their green space. He reminds that students will be involved in the process to give them a sense of ownership over the project.
Reinstating FFA and agriculture education in the district has been a recent focus, and Dr. Tresnak says this will be a big help in that effort. He has dreams of a greenhouse being built in the future, but adds that even landscaping practices can be a part of FFA.
This project is already turning from dream into reality, with the new pavilion set to be installed by contractors by the end of April. By the end of the school year, there will be a new shed in the space, Dr. Tresnak notes that they will have to be patient as the plants grow in their own time.
Dr. Tresnak is grateful to all of the groups from the DeWitt and Piatt County Farm Bureaus to the Clinton High School Industrial Tech Department, who have helped them get this project moving. Learn more about DeLand-Weldon Schools by visiting dwschools.org or by finding the district on Facebook.
