Ho-Ho-Kus April 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Earth Day project brings ‘courtyard classroom’ to school by Jennifer Crusco Just in time for Earth Day 2012, work has begun on the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School’s “courtyard classroom.” This outdoor educational area is being created on school grounds with a $10,000 grant from the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation and a gift of professional services provided by the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association in conjunction with PLANET, the Professional Land Care Network. Ho-Ho-Kus teachers Michele Meyers, Carla Kramer, and Diane McDonough have been working to bring the courtyard classroom to the school for the benefit of students at all grade levels. The public school serves students from kindergarten through grade eight. Superintendent Deborah Ferrara explained that, each year, the NJLCA selects and works with a school as part of the PLANET Day of Service. Ferrara said students from the public school wrote letters to the association explaining the courtyard classroom concept and requesting assistance from the professionals. “We were lucky enough to have been chosen,” the superintendent reported. “It’s been wonderful for us.” She added that the courtyard classroom will afford teachers many opportunities to instruct their students outdoors. She anticipates math problems regarding rainfall and runoff, and other lessons that will stem from out courtyard area. NJLCA representative David Huber, a landscape designer from Horizon Landscape in Wyckoff, designed the courtyard classroom. According to Ferrara, the landscapers have already been at work at the school, cutting trees and preparing the ground. Late last week, the crew was planning to return to the school to build the raised beds for vegetables, restore an existing pond and waterfall, and add a butterfly house. Plans also call for an irrigation system. The professional crew expected to work all day on April 20. “Many workers will be here throughout the day,” Ferrara advised the school staff. “They will bring in topsoil and lumber and be building and planting in the courtyard. I expect it will quite messy and may be noisy, but I hope you will be able to work around their activities. In fact, I would love it if you could use it as a learning experience for kids.” Ferrara thanked Meyers, Kramer, and McDonough for the time they invested to make the project a reality. Ferrara also noted that the school plans to host another event at which community volunteers will be invited to lend a hand to enhance the work of the professionals. Details will be announced shortly. Huber said the outdoor education area would provide students with opportunities to study agriculture, aquatic sciences, and ecology. He noted that additional elements planned for future installation in the courtyard classroom would include a rain garden, a compost bin, and a cold frame. Asked how Ho-Ho-Kus was ultimately selected for this gift of professional service, Huber commented on the students’ drawings and compelling requests for help. “We couldn’t resist,” he explained. Home & School Association offers scholarships The Ho-Ho-Kus Home & School Association is offering $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who currently reside in Ho-Ho-Kus and have attended the HoHo-Kus Public School for at least one year. The awards are based on scholarship, leadership, and community service. The need for financial assistance will not be a prerequisite. Interested students may pick up an application at borough hall, the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School, or the office at Northern Highlands High School. The application deadline is May 11. For more information, call Jenn Liljergren at (201) 961-2417.