Outdoor Classroom at Brookfield Elementary

Article From the Brookfield Now

2010-10-20T18:38:00.000-05:00

Outdoor classroom adds a new venue for learning

Brookfield school's facility slated to be dedicated Friday

By ALAN HAMARI

Posted: Oct. 20, 2010 |(0) Comments

Brookfield Elementary Principal Lynn Gutchewsky likes it when her students aren't in school.

No, Gutchewsky isn't promoting absenteeism. She likes it when students aren't in school - because it means they're probably outside using the school's new outdoor classroom.

The outdoor classroom, a project sparked and funded by Brookfield Elementary's parent-teacher organization, has its official dedication tomorrow, but some students and teachers have been using the new facility already.

"The kids are so excited to go in there," Gutchewsky said.

The classroom, located on the south side of the school, features amphitheatrical seating surrounding a main lecture area and can seat approximately 120 students. Gutchewsky envisions a multitude of uses for the space, including grade-level presentations, and performances by band and orchestra students, science projects.

"Certainly the classroom teachers have a lot of ideas how they might use it," she said. "All content areas - art, music, (physical education) - they've all demonstrated interest."

Help from parents

The idea of an outdoor classroom emerged a few years ago after Brookfield Elementary's PTO decided to move forward with one larger-scale project at the school rather than several smaller-scale ones, PTO President Andrea Knopp said.

"It was something that all kids can use and all teachers can use, so that was a nice way to utilize the funds," Knopp said.

A fundraiser took place in 2009, and the city's Common Council approved the project in May of this year. Construction started in August, and the roughly $20,000 project wrapped up this month.

"It gives the teachers and the students a different venue to educate the kids," Knopp said. "It's a different learning style."

Gutchewsky is grateful to the parents, groups and other individuals who contributed.

"Without the collaboration with our PTO and our fabulous parent and support community, we wouldn't have been able to do this," she said.

Daylight facility

As part of the city's approval, the classroom does not have lighting or a sound system. Gutchewsky said plans are to use it mostly during the school day, although some scout groups have expressed interest in using the facility.

Still, the facility is first and foremost for students at Brookfield Elementary, and Gutchewsky said she hopes the nice weather sticks around for a little while, for the sake of the outdoor classroom.

"The winter's coming," she said. "People want to get as much use out of it as possible."

What's next

WHAT: Dedication ceremony for Brookfield Elementary's

outdoor classroom

WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Brookfield Elementary, 2530 N. Brookfield Road

INFORMATION: (262) 785-3930 or elmbrookschools.org/BrookfieldElementary/index.nws

Taken from Brookfield Now October 20th, 2010.

http://www.brookfieldnow.com/news/105345813.html

It's Completed!

2010-10-14T09:47:00.006-05:00

The Outdoor Classroom is complete!!!

The walkway looks fantastic, the landscaping is inviting, giftbricks are installed, and the grass is growing in beautifully. Come on up the hill and check it out!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony scheduled for October 22nd at 2:30 and 3:00.

Please attend one of these grand openings for this new addition!

A huge THANK YOU to our fantastic Outdoor Classroom team! Without you all this project would have never become a reality. Here are the key players:

Funding provided by: Brookfield Elementary PTO and a plethora of parents
Facilitated by: Tom Knopp
Designed by: Jay Knetter
Landscaped by: Larry Hipp
Walkway Created by: Jeff and Marvin Cain
Constructed by: Isaac at F.Green
Materials Furnished by: County Materials

Construction Continues

2010-08-25T22:54:00.008-05:00

The future walkway designed and constructed by Jeff.

Larry working on the finishing landscape touches.

What a great place for an outdoor presentation, play or science experiment.

Construction in Progress!

2010-08-19T21:31:00.007-05:00

Construction to begin August 9th!

2010-08-05T15:17:00.003-05:00

The date is finally set . . . the contractors are about to begin building the outdoor classroom the week of August 9th! Stop by to watch the progress!

Common Council Approves Plan

2010-05-18T21:43:00.002-05:00

The Outdoor Classroom project was approved by Brookfield's Common Council on May 18th with a few restrictions including no audio or lighting features when built.

Article Published In Brookfield Now

2010-05-15T09:07:00.002-05:00

The following article is from Brookfield Now May 13, 2010

Neighbors support outdoor classroom, despite concerns
Panel member says city will keep watch for trespassers

By ALAN HAMARI
Posted: May 11, 2010

Science projects, guest speakers and art classes soon could be headed outside at Brookfield Elementary School if the Common Council next week approves a plan for the school to build a 120-seat outdoor classroom.

Brookfield Elementary's PTO has funded a campaign for the classroom, which will be used by students during the school day and could be used by other groups - like Boy Scout or Girl Scout groups - after school.

The classroom, which would feature stadium-style seating around a main lecture area, would be built just south of the school. The cost of the project is estimated at $20,000.

Pending Common Council approval, construction could start after school lets out in June.

Samantha Brojanac, the parent of a Brookfield Elementary second-grader, said during a public hearing Monday she wholeheartedly supports the idea of an outdoor classroom.

"Anything that can help our kids (learn) is a plus, I think," she said.

But some neighbors, including Melissa Hibl, said the new addition, while worthwhile, could turn into "an attractive nuisance."

Hibl said she already has kids cutting through her yard on Brookfield Road and doesn't want to see any additional foot traffic or vandalism, so she suggested a fence be built around the classroom.

While members of Brookfield's Plan Commission on Monday didn't support the inclusion of a fence at this point, Alderman Mark Nelson said the city will be watching to "make sure we're not getting lots of calls from police or neighbors."

Other neighbors had questions and concerns about lighting or noise from the new classroom, but PTO President Cathy Wolfla said there are no plans for lighting or microphones and speakers at the site.
NEXT STEP

WHAT: Common Council vote on Brookfield Elementary School's proposed outdoor classroom
WHEN: 7:45 p.m. May 18
WHERE: City Hall, 2000 N. Calhoun Road

Planning Commission Approves Classroom

2010-05-14T08:54:00.002-05:00

Members of Brookfield's Pan Commission voted in support of the Outdoor Classroom on Monday, May 10th. Pending Common Council approval the project could begin as early as mid June.

Order Your Brick Soon!

2010-05-05T13:07:00.008-05:00

To download additional brick order forms please click on the graphics below. Remember one form per order please! Sales end May 24th.

Outdoor Classroom Note from the Principal

2010-05-03T21:44:00.000-05:00

On High Interest Day, I joined the Kiddie Club, a group of preschool age children who had parents volunteering for our amazing school-wide event. The young Bobcat siblings were beaming with excitement from the “artifacts” they found while exploring the hill on the south side of our building. Hearing the vocabulary and communication these young children were able to use to articulate and share their experience on “the hill” fueled my excited anticipation for the ground-breaking of our Outdoor Classroom. Hopefully, these future Bobcats will be able to utilize our Outdoor Classroom starting in Kindergarten and throughout their school career at Brookfield Elementary. I share a sense of pride in knowing our dream may soon become a reality for our children.

~Principal Lynn Gutchewsky

Our Vision

2010-04-29T21:22:00.014-05:00

An inviting outdoor setting for all classes, students, staff and after school groups to use.

Comprised of natural and durable materials accented with indigenous Wisconsin foliage.

Help The Team!

2010-04-19T10:10:00.007-05:00

The committee has a need for volunteers to sell engraved bricks during the first two weeks in May to school families and alumnus. Time commitment is at a minimum here and most can be accomplished during any hour of the day. A majority of the work includes distributing order forms, following up with questions, and communicating orders to the engraving company.

We would also be offering tours of the proposed site during Spring Fling. Interested in helping out? Just click on the "Contact the Team" listing found on the right side.

Public Info Mtg Scheduled For April 28th

2010-04-13T09:25:00.007-05:00

A Neighborhood Information Meeting is scheduled for 5:00pm Wednesday, April 28. It will be held at City Hall. Please come to see the project, ask questions, and meet the committee members!

Gift Bricks Available In May

2010-03-30T09:14:00.012-05:00

Orders for engraved Gift Bricks will be distributed the first week of May. The bricks will be used to create the presentation and seating areas of the classroom. Look for the order form to be posted on this website in early May.

The bricks cost $50 for a 4" x 8" brick and $100 for an 8" x 8" brick.

What a great way to remember an alum, company, family, and of course our students!

The Current Setting

2010-03-30T08:42:00.011-05:00

What a nice natural setting to conduct classes, experiments, writings, and other activities!

Retaining wall to the right will be replaced with new retaining wall arranged in a stadium style seating design. Now that the snow has melted - take a walk up the hill on the south side of Brookfield Elementary!

Request For Public Hearing Granted

2010-03-30T08:21:00.004-05:00

A request for a public hearing for the outdoor classroom was placed on March 8th before the Planning Commission. The request was then grated by the city's Commmon Council on March 16th to hold the Public Hearing. The tentative date will be set during the month of April.

Waukesha Freeman News

2010-03-29T22:21:00.000-05:00

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Mar 9, 2010; Section:Local; Page Number:3A

Brookfield Elementary hoping to take the classroom outside
Plans for outdoor learning environment under review by city
By Joe Petrie Freeman Staff

BROOKFIELD – Pending city approval, Brookfield Elementary School is about to make its dreams of an outdoor classroom a reality.

Brookfield city officials are reviewing plans to allow the school to build a roughly 120-seat, stadium-style outdoor educational facility on school grounds to add educational options for students.

“This has been talked about for a long time,” said Andrea Knopp, vice-president of the Brookfield Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization. “We started this endeavor last year and we’re very excited about it and it really helps build a sense of community.”

According to documents provided to the Brookfield Plan Commission, the project is designed to create a space that encourages students to discover, think, solve and communicate in new ways. The space would allow students to learn in a hands-on outdoor environment and promote meaningful outdoor education in general.

The documents states the space could also be used by teachers, parents, afterschool organizations and curriculum ranging from science experiments, creative writing assignments, art projects, plays and school functions.

Knopp said the entire project will cost more than $10,000, which has been raised from parents who sold bricks and also recently garnered more than $7,000 at a fundraiser.

Knopp said other schools in the area have similar outdoor classrooms and Brookfield Elementary parents wanted to give their children the same opportunities to explore.

If the city gives approval in the next few months, Knopp said the classroom could be ready by the beginning of the 2010-11 school year.

Brookfield Elementary Principal Lynn Gutchewsky said staff is excited about the possible outdoor classroom and the opportunities it brings. She also said she is hopeful the project will be approved quickly.

Week 2010, Feb 21

2010-02-25T14:18:00.008-06:00

Our outdoor classroom project has been submitted to the City of Brookfield and is currently being evaluated. The city's Planning Committee is scheduled to publicly discuss the project on March 8th at City Hall.