Nature Zone History
The land lab or Nature Zone was the idea of retired principal Mr. Gary Novak and a few teachers. Three teachers and three parents helped to do research and developed a plan to create a Nature Zone behind the school. They had a vision to turn the 3.5 acres of grassy hillside into what we have today as our Nature Zone. It is a place for teachers to take students outside to do hands-on activities related to their science, math, geography, language arts, physical education, and art lessons. There is a variety of wildlife that passes through our Nature Zone, including deer, snakes, heron, frogs, toads, groundhogs, duck, geese, muskrat, and a large variety of birds.
The Nature Zone began in the fall of 1998 with the construction of the greenhouse. In 1999, the pond and wetland area followed. The pond water is pumped up the hill and then runs into the wetlands, which cools and filters the pond water. After going through the wetland, the water travels by gravity underground in pipes back to the pond.
In the fall of 2000, the Beltz Memorial Garden was constructed, and in the spring of 2001, it was dedicated in memory of Michael Beltz. In the spring of 2001, the outdoor classroom was built, and in 2002 the tool shed was constructed. In 2003, the peace garden was constructed and in 2004, the library patio was constructed. In the spring of 2005, the compass rose was built, markers where placed in the ground for activities relating to it. In the spring of 2006, garden markers were made and placed in the gardens throughout the Nature Zone, to identify the plants and trees in the Nature Zone. In the spring of 2008, the Arrowhead PTA purchased bird cameras for the Nature Zone that allow each classroom to view two bird feeding stations and the inside of bird houses.
In the spring of 2008, the Arrowhead PTA purchased bird cameras for the Nature Zone that allow each classroom to view two bird feeding stations and the inside of bird houses. In May of 2009, Girl Scout Troop #270 constructed an addition to the boardwalk in the wetland area of the Nature Zone, which allows access completely around the wetlands. During the summer of 2009, the reading patio was added to the Nature Zone. The Arrowhead Summer Garden Club was formed during the 2009 summer. Students gathered every week to work in the gardens, harvest produce, learn plant names, and make crafts. Everything within the Nature Zone was made possible by grants and donations from companies as well as individual donations. There was no taxpayer money involved in the construction of the Nature Zone. Teachers, students, and volunteers from the community maintain the nature zone. Many sugar maple trees have been planted in the hopes that in 25 years our grandchildren will be able to tap the trees and learn how sap is made into maple syrup!
Today we have the Pizza Garden (herb garden), Flag Garden, (red, white, and blue flowering plants), Peace Garden (white flowering plants), Arrowhead Garden (blue and yellow flowering plants), Beltz Memorial Garden, Butterfly Garden, Japenese Garden, Pavilion, Pond, Wetland area and 13 raised vegetable gardens. Teachers have their class adopt a garden for the school year. They keep it weeded, plant bulbs and flowers, and learn about the plants in their garden. Teachers also plant cool weather crops in the fall and in the spring in a raised vegetable garden. It is fun for the students to watch radishes, lettuce, and spinach grow and then being able to eat the vegetables that they harvest. Teachers also make salsa for their classes in the fall from all the ripe tomatoes and peppers.
Family events are also held in the Nature Zone each year. They include: Environmental Day, Pumpkin Carving, Boo at the School, Fall Clean-Up Day, Spring Clean-Up Day, and the End of the Year Family Picnic.
Compass Rose
Arrowhead Garden
Japanese Garden
Raised Vegetable Gardens
Flag Garden
Reading Patio
Chicken Coop and Yard