Independent school in Kingston, Ont. raising $10,000 to create 'outdoor learning centre'
An independent school in Kingston, Ont., has launched a fundraising campaign to help build a space where its students get outside and learn.
The Quintilian School is a small independent school of fewer than 40 students; it caters to students who have learning differences like autism, attention deficit disorder and anxiety disorders.
The school is fundraising for what they call an “outdoor learning centre,” explains school principal Laura Desousa.
During the pandemic, she says students have spent more time outside, for classes like gym, and it made the school change their way of approaching learning.
“It just made us think what else can we do outside,” Desousa explains. “We’ve got this great space; let’s make it beautiful and usable for our learners.”
The space would include “tables, chairs and shade umbrellas” for children to have a proper space to sit and take their classes. It would also hold a greenhouse and garden beds to use for teaching skills and mental health support.
Ten-year-old Joey McKenna is one of the students at the school. He feels there’s a lot you can learn from a garden.
“The value of nature. Grade 1 math,” he says. “Johnny has 15 strawberries, he gives Sally two and a half. How many strawberries does he have?”
The Grade 4 student is living on the autism spectrum. He says spending more time outdoors for gym class is something he has enjoyed.
“I could wear my mask a lot less,” he explains. “A lot more fresh air.”
His grandmother, Linda McKenna, says being outside is beneficial for students like him.
“It provides great general health benefits for kids about learning how to re-regulate outside,” she says. “And kids that have anxiety or kids who have autism have been proven to actually function better when they get a certain amount of time outdoors.”
DeSousa agrees that it would help cater to their students learning styles.
“Our students definitely learn by immersing themselves in what they’re learning,” she explains. “So to be able to move outside and move our bodies and be learning in the environment of what we’re learning about, just makes more sense.”
The independent school has about 40 students in all and receives no government funding. DeSousa say the $10,000 total price tag for the dream project is a large one for the school, so they’re turning to outside fundraising through a GoFundMe campaign to make it happen.
DeSousa says they work to keep tuition low for students, so outside fundraising will help them build their project slowly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Murder charges filed against U.S. woman who crashed into building hosting birthday party, killing 2 kids
A Michigan woman was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and other crimes after prosecutors say she drunkenly smashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a birthday party, killing two young siblings and injuring several other people.
Toronto's police chief clarifies initial statement on Umar Zameer acquittal, says he 'accepts' jury's finding
Toronto's Chief of Police has clarified a statement that he'd hoped for "a different outcome" made just after Umar's Zameer acquittal, telling reporters Tuesday he supports and accepts the jury's finding in the five-week trial.