NVCS programs connect kids with the environment

The success of any school program can be judged by its long-range effect on the life of its students. Eighteen years ago, Nittany Valley Charter School pledged in its mission statement to “integrate the learning process with a personal understanding of the natural environment.” The Peace Garden at the school is the result of the hard work of three Nittany Valley Charter School graduates — Quin Brannaka, Kyle McClellan and Katy Little.

Five years ago, Quin worked with teacher Mike Fogelsanger, her mother, Tracey Burgard, and Glenn O. Hawbaker to design and build the Peace Garden.

The garden was enhanced by the pergola built by Kyle McClellan for his Eagle Scout project, with help from Troop 32 Scouts. Last year, our middle schoolers provided a backdrop for the garden with the lovely mural they painted with the assistance of art teacher and former NVCS student Katy Little. She was so inspired by our school environment and mission as a student that she decided to pursue a teaching career, and is extremely happy to now be working at NVCS.

NVCS has been committed to helping our environment from its inception. Today, students go on weekly field trips that take them out of the classroom to care for and appreciate our environment. When the weather is cold and snowy during the winter months, trips are suspended but the hands-on learning opportunities continue through enrichment activities. All grades at NVCS participate in a weekly environmental education class. Additional instruction in the classroom often focuses on environmental concerns. Students in grades 4 through 8 developed projects using experiments or displays to demonstrate current environmental concerns. Projects were displayed at an “ecomuseum” that they named “The Helping Earth Museum.”

NVCS takes caring for the environment beyond enjoying a walk in the woods. Every day, students compost remains from their lunch. They separate compostable paper goods from those that are really trash. They recycle all that they can. NVCS is a Centre County Green Business Partner, and the borough has recently awarded the school with recognition for Outstanding Achievement.

All of the students participate in regular service to the environment. They have served as park partners for many years, first at Slab Cabin Park, and since moving to their current location, with Tusseyview Park. The school and its students will be partnering with Penn State Master Gardeners this spring to incorporate a satellite butterfly garden on their property.

Big plans are underway for an immersion, service-learning project for the upcoming school year. On a nearby rural property, students will be taught to recognize native trees and to understand a healthy succession of trees and bushes. They will visit with a forester from the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources and work with a field representative from the United States Department of Agriculture to learn firsthand the issues of managing a forest. Their goal will be to improve the environment and to provide more food and homes for native wildlife, including pollinators.

Education plants the seeds for the future. Recognizing the service projects of the graduates of NVCS shows that these “seeds” have successfully grown into caring, community-minded citizens.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 11:51 AM with the headline "NVCS programs connect kids with the environment."