We’re thrilled to be partnering with Elm Street School to raise funds to create and launch a new outdoor learning space for the school. Elm Street School has been in Medicine Hat since 1911. Despite being 110 years old, the school is still in pristine condition. The traditional red brick exterior houses bright, cheery classrooms and hallways. Over the course of the pandemic, Elm Street School has pivoted to incorporate more digital learning into their curriculum. The school also goes beyond the classroom to ensure its students and community have the tools and resources, wanting to play more of a role in its community. Elm Street School believes in meeting the needs of the community, beyond that of what is traditionally thought of as the role of schools.

With their motto being “a place of possibilities” the school is always looking for new ways to inspire its students and facilitate engaging learning environments. Elm Street School wants to add an outdoor classroom as a new resource for students and teachers. Their goal is to create a space that will allow year-round hands-on learning.

The space the school is looking to convert is the old playground for the daycare that was once housed on-site. With the space going unused this is a great opportunity to recycle what is already available. While the former playground is currently vacant, renovating the area the create an outdoor classroom is a huge undertaking. Elm Street School is hoping to raise $10,000 to create their new outdoor classroom, which includes procuring a sea can to store equipment and projects and have a goal to launch it this October. They will repurpose what they can to make this project as cost effective as possible, while maintaining the functionality of a classroom.

Coulee Ridge will match donations up to $2,000, so that means we just need to raise $8,000 to help Elm Street achieve their goal! Elm Street School has planned fundraising events for each month of the Community Builder initiative: this July you can purchase symbolic bricks online. As for August… you will have to follow Elm Street School on social media and keep an eye out for the announcement! For those who would just like to donate and support this initiative, Elm Street School is also accepting donations online.