Bluff Park, Alabama - Heather's Corner - BPES Celebrates Arbor Day

Bluff Park Elementary School Celebrates Arbor Day and the start of Outdoor Classroom By Heather , Bluffparkal.org heather@bluffparkal.org

For Arbor Day in Bluff Park, the Elementary School held a special presentation honoring contributors and students for the school’s new outdoor classroom. The Outdoor classroom is set to be developed on a vacant lot that connects to Bluff Park Elementary School.

The project team for the outdoor classroom, which includes Pam Conville, Connie Shaffer, Stephen Presley, Julie Adams and Jennafer Collins, compiled a site inventory and analysis map using information from the City of Hoover and on-site evaluation. The school received grants from The Audubon Society, Alabama Power, Bluff Park PTO and Hoover Beautification Board to further the project.

Starting this month (February 2008) a once dull and overgrown lot will transform into a place where Bluff Park students can learn and observe nature. The outdoor classroom will contain an entrance gateway, outdoor learning centers, a gardening learning center, a natural aquatics enter, The Front Yard and a The Wild Trail.

Also honored at the Arbor Day event was Ryan Winslow. Winslow, who died serving his country in Iraq, attended Bluff Park Elementary as a child. Two trees planted for Arbor Day were dedicated in honor and memory of the fallen soldier. These trees were named "Ryan" and "Winslow."

For an “in-progress” outline of the outdoor classroom follow this link to the Outdoor Classroom Website http://bluffparkecoscape.wiki.hoover.k12.al.us/Work+in+Progress

For more information and how you can help check out the Outdoor Classroom Website at http://bluffparkecoscape.wiki.hoover.k12.al.us/


Pam Conville with Bill Holmes from Alabama Power receiving a check for $1000. Bluff Park parent Julie Adams wrote an Alabama Power Grant for the Outdoor Classroom!	Pictured are Connie Shaffer, project co-leader and fifth grade teacher, Jennafer Collins, project designer, Ann Sweeney of the Birmingham Audubon Society, Stephen Presley, parent consultant and donor, Pam Conville, Project Leader and fourth grade teacher, Collin Conner of the Hoover City Forester and Team Naturalist/Consultant), Mike Zarichnak, Naturalist/consultant, Pam Thompson of the Hoover Board of Beautification and naturalist/consultant. Also pictured are the Parents of Ryan Winslow, Julie Adams, recipient of Alabama Power Grant and Team Volunteer Coordinator, Bill Holmes from Alabama Power, Caroline Adams, Team Communications and Fourth grade teacher. Students pictured are Jackson Warren and Cabel Cantrell	Pictured speaking to the group is Jennafer Collins, designer of the plans for the Outdoor Classroom.

Singing a patriotic anthem for Arbor Day at Bluff Park Elementary are Hannah Kuykendal and Stevie Presley	Pam Conville, project leader for the Outdoor Classroom, with Holly Sutherland, Assistant Principal	Connie Shaffer, project co-chair and Collin Conner, Hoover City Forester along with Mike Zarichnak, consultant. Holding a portrait of Ryan Winslow is student Sumner Adams and Assistant Principal Holly Sutherland.
	Bluff Park School Outdoor Classroom Project (PDF File)