All about Outdoor Schools
Washington State Senate bill 5357 passed the Senate and is in the State House of Representatives at the moment. If it gets passed and signed it will create opportunities which may reach here into Paradise. (I know you’ve heard that the two things you don’t want to watch being created are sausage and legislation, but I thoroughly enjoy making my own sausage and have never had a problem watching the legislative process.)
Be that as it may, might I encourage you to keep a good thought for Senate Bill 5357 – “An act relating to a pilot project to license outdoor early learning and child care programs.” The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee during its meeting next Tuesday (March 21) at 8 a.m.
If passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, this bill will (subject to an appropriation of funds, of course) establish a four-year pilot program to license outdoor, nature-based, early learning and child care programs. Within the pilot project, the Department of Early Learning would be allowed to waive or adapt licensing requirements to allow for operation of outdoor classrooms.
If approved, the pilot program would begin at the end of August this year. Up to ten pilot locations would participate the first year, with additional programs invited to apply in late summer of 2018. An advisory group of outdoor, nature-based, early learning teachers and practitioners would be created to support the pilot programs. This advisory group would likely be involved in assisting with annual reports on pilot programs.
The act addresses some of the rules which have held back the development of outdoor schools. Much of the testimony in favor of SB 5357 noted the wide recognition that access to the outdoors increases kids’ focus, critical thinking, performance and ability to manage stress. Without licensing, full-day programs are very rare – yet they are highly sought-after by working families wanting such an educational experience for their children. Such programs become much more accessible with licensing, and provide a creative solution to the shortage of preschools in many Washington communities. In addition, licensing requirements currently assume that schools are in buildings – and are thus not applicable to outdoor classrooms.
Cost of education is another important factor. Since outdoor schools spend far less than traditional schools on facilities and maintenance, more funding can go toward high quality teachers and financial support for families needing it. One example cited in testimony in favor of SB 5357 was the work of Tiny Trees Outdoor School. Tiny Trees built six outdoor sites at a cost of $320,000. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction noted that one typical indoor preschool classroom costs $350,000. In these times of educators scratching for funding, such savings can be highly significant.
The Washington Outdoor School operating here in Paradise is helping many youngsters get a good start on their educations. We now have the Washington Outdoor School Fridays at Helen McCabe, and three mornings a week in Roslyn, with other outdoor classroom activities on late start days and other opportune moments. With enough support and the right outdoor-savvy teacher(s), our local outdoor school could become a daily school and even add a kindergarten.
Sibyl Maer-Fillo has been making it happen here. Through two decades of teaching and working at all levels of education, Sibyl dreamed of getting young students immersed in the natural world – outside. Her belief that a child’s interaction with nature helps develop a sense of place, awakens curiosity, and creates healthy minds and bodies reflects the important work now spreading across the planet. This work of connecting kids with Earth helps build stronger communities and a life-long commitment to the proper functioning of our natural world.
Take a look at some happy youngsters and find out more – or register your kids for the program that is perfect for them – at www.ycic.org/washington-outdoor-school. For a peek into the Upper County program, take a look at www.roslynoutdoorschool.org. KEEN and the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center working group are strong supporters of the outdoor school, summer day camps, and a surprising number of other outdoor learning options for kids of all ages. Find out more about the Yakima Canyon Bird Fest, Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe, bird illustration and photography classes at www.ycic.org/.
This is critically important business. To paraphrase Jodi Larsen, Upper County Rotary: Children are the emissaries we send into a time we will never see – what do we want them to take along?
