Cleveland.com Reports that Laurel Students Learn and Thrive in Outdoor Classrooms

 However, none locally has dived in as deeply and thoughtfully as Laurel School, which moved its third, fourth, and fifth grades to its 150-acre Butler Campus in Geauga County for the full school year." The reporter stated that when she visited the Butler Campus in November to observe from a distance, she "saw how students use the streams, woods, ponds and hiking trails as their labs. They study in open pavilions, yurts and lodges with open doors and screened windows. Each girl still has a laptop, and much of the curriculum is similar to last year, but the move to Butler has galvanized outdoor education as an anchor."

 

Heather Havre, Director of Laurel at Butler, was interviewed for the story and commented that "academics are just as rigorous, but there is a stronger emphasis on experiential learning, stewardship of the earth and community building." Fourth Grade teacher Shannon Lukz emphasized, “Having morning meeting in the indigenous forest and discussing who was on this land before us helps the students think beyond themselves.” Science teacher Abbie Bole commented that instead of conducting stream studies as indoor labs, at Butler students examine various aspects of streams over several days. "Here, we don't have to manufacture experiences and the authentic explorations 'really stick'"! Head of School Ann Klotz was also quoted and feels that the pandemic gave Laurel the push it needed to better utilize Butler’s outdoor education and place-based learning. She advised, “Don’t let catastrophe get in the way of innovation!”

 

Click here to read the full story, which also appeared in print in the Sun Papers.