Siwanoy Celebrates National Outdoor Classroom Day

Press release from Pelham Public Schools:

May 25, 2021

Siwanoy School celebrated National Outdoor Classroom day on Thursday, May 20 by
welcoming back Susan Gilbert for a day of planting and outdoor learning in the space that was
the brainchild of the former principal and officially opened two years ago to the day. To kick off
the festivities, members of the PTA, teachers and student government leaders spoke about Mrs.
Gilbert’s incredible career at Siwanoy, culminating in the dedication of a butterfly garden in Mrs.
Gilbert’s name and the unveiling of a plaque in the outdoor classroom that reads, “In Honor of
Susan Gilbert, Siwanoy School Principal 2003-2020, Champion of Children, Lover of Nature.”

In addition to members of the student government, who passed out packets of milkweed seed to
guests, the event featured remarks from current Siwanoy Principal Farid Johnson,
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Cheryl Champ, Teacher Suzie Diano, PTA President Dawn
Bloise and Mrs. Gilbert. Throughout the day, students from all grade levels spent time in the
classroom, gardening, planting and enjoying the space.

The Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom at Siwanoy School opened in 2019 following years of
development and fundraising. The classroom, located in the rear of Siwanoy School, serves as
an important vehicle to augment students’ education across a number of disciplines and enable
them to connect with nature. Features include a stage, student gathering area, music and
movement areas, art panels, raised garden beds for classroom plantings, a butterfly cycle
garden and a weather station. The outdoor classroom was made possible through an incredible
fundraising effort by the Siwanoy PTA, Siwanoy Outdoor Classroom Committee, Pelham
Education Foundation, Pelham Preservation and Garden Society, and a New York State grant
along with the contributions of many families and community members.

This press release was produced by Pelham Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.