Winfield Elementary School Unveils Welcoming Outdoor Learning Space with the Grand Opening of New Courtyard
Winfield Elementary School is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its captivating outdoor learning space, an enchanting courtyard that promises to inspire and educate young minds. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Monday, May 15th marking the culmination of a transformative project supported by the Winfield PTA and in partnership with Victory Highway Church.
The new courtyard at Winfield Elementary School is designed to provide a dynamic environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning experiences for its students. This innovative outdoor space offers a plethora of engaging features that will undoubtedly enhance the educational journey of every child:
Herb Garden: The courtyard boasts a vibrant herb garden, where students can immerse themselves in the wonders of nature and gain firsthand knowledge about the growth and uses of different herbs. This sensory experience will ignite their senses and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Sensory Tables: Incorporating sensory learning, the courtyard includes interactive tables that engage students in tactile exploration, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These sensory tables offer a captivating and multisensory approach to learning, stimulating their imagination and encouraging hands-on discovery.
Weather Station: To promote scientific inquiry and meteorological understanding, Winfield Elementary School has installed a state-of-the-art weather station in the courtyard. Students will have the opportunity to observe and analyze weather patterns, honing their observation skills and nurturing a fascination for the atmospheric sciences.
Reader's Theater: The courtyard features a dedicated area for reader's theater, fostering a love for literature and the performing arts. Students can engage in dramatic readings, role-playing, and storytelling, enhancing their literacy skills, self-expression, and confidence.
Diverse Flowers and Plants: Within the courtyard, an array of colorful flowers and plants have been carefully cultivated to create a visually stunning and serene environment. This natural oasis will spark a sense of wonder and tranquility, encouraging students to explore the wonders of botany and ecology.
The successful completion of this extraordinary project would not have been possible without the generous support and collaboration of Victory Highway Church. Their commitment to education and community development has been instrumental in creating this captivating outdoor learning space for the students of Winfield Elementary School. Mr. Matt Strack from the church stated, “The REACH ministry of Victory Highway Wesleyan Church seeks to express the love of Jesus by serving our communities as we partner with schools, towns, and other charitable/volunteer organizations to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families within the Twin Tiers. The project to transform the Winfield Elementary School courtyard into an engaging learning environment has been a wonderful experience. The partnership has allowed Victory to involve multiple people in various ways, using their skills, to make the school’s vision for the courtyard a reality. It has been a privilege to work alongside the outstanding leadership at Winfield Elementary (Colin Sinko – school principal, Barb Hursh – project lead), and we trust this new courtyard will be a blessing to both faculty and students alike in the days to come.”
The Winfield PTA has played a vital role in funding and supporting this initiative, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to enriching the educational experiences of the school's young learners. Their tireless efforts have helped shape a vibrant and engaging space that will have a lasting impact on the students' educational journey.
Principal Colin Sinko expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are immensely grateful to Victory Highway Church and the Winfield PTA for their invaluable support in making this courtyard a reality. The new outdoor learning space will provide our students with endless opportunities for exploration, discovery, and hands-on learning. We are excited to see their enthusiasm and creativity flourish in this dynamic environment."
The grand opening of Winfield Elementary School's courtyard marks an exciting chapter in the school's commitment to holistic education and nurturing the potential of every student. This outdoor learning space will undoubtedly inspire generations to come, fostering a love for nature, science, literature, and the arts.
“Nature breeds curiosity; it helps to grow explorers rather than robots. It reminds us
that we are part of something bigger. It grounds us, calms us.”
Ben Palmer-Fry
