Short Term Goal: Secure funding for project.

Project Timeline: Completion date summer 2009.

1. Presentation to Sicomac PTO – June 2008  

2. Presentation to the Wyckoff Board of Education – June, 2008.

3. Construction: Spring Break/Summer 2009 – implement design and complete construction.

Site Inventory and Mapping:
The project area is approximately 7200 sq feet, located in the middle of the school, enclosed on 4 sides by classrooms and/or internal hallways.

There are 3 separate access doors to the surrounded space.

The area consists of “rough grade” soil, several shrubs and one tree, as well as a sidewalk on the north end of the site.

Design: To meet the varied demands of the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards, the plan divides the parcel into several distinct areas:  an area for insect and plant exploration, including native plant species, trees and shrubs; a compost area;  a gathering area for formal instruction which includes a seating area made of natural stone, as well as an informal relaxation and contemplation area and work areas for drawing and writing;  a natural habitat instructional area which includes a pond. The grounds will include gravel paths and concrete pavers. An irrigation and drainage system needs to be installed.

Reaching Out: Based on discussions with northern NJ administrators from other schools, we estimate our fundraising needs to be in the order of $100,000.  Funds will come from grant opportunities and private donations. We hope to tap into funding from both state and federal governments, corporate, public and local sources, including school families and local businesses and clubs. Donations will be accepted in cash as well as in kind. Local groups such as Environmental and Service Organizations and the PTO may also be of able to provide assistance in kind.

 Curriculum Connection: In addition to the obvious connections to the science curriculum, including observations related to butterflies and other insects, rain gauges and wind monitors, there are many cross-curricular connections to be made in our outdoor educational habitat. It will also provide excellent opportunities for exploration in mathematics. Students will be organizing data, graphing, predicting, learning geometry and practicing measurement including area, perimeter and capacity. In language arts, our teachers will incorporate books and adopt reading themes related to the outdoor habitat study area. Our writing curriculum will be enhanced by the opportunity for students to write, surrounded by nature. In social studies, the habitat also lends itself to units on the study of our community and on species historically related to our local and state environments. The habitat will provide a peaceful setting for instruction in any subject area. In addition, the habitat will enhance and promote our students environmental and civic responsibilities. Students will have the opportunity and the challenge of helping to properly care for and maintain the flower and butterfly gardens and to observe insects, flora and fauna in their natural habitat.