New outdoor classroom pavilion rises; how it will benefit students

When Thursday began, there was a level area of rocks located just outside the door to Mill Road Elementary School’s library and grades 3-5 wing.
As the end of the day approached, there was a fully formed pavilion structure, complete with a singled roof, flat finished floor and ornate posts.
In a matter of hours, Mill Road’s newest educational space went from vision to reality, and will soon be ready to spark such creativity in the young pupils who use it.
The outdoor classroom is the latest in a collection of Mill Road amenities that encourage a union between nature, mindfulness and unique instructional opportunity.
“We continue to find new and exciting ways to expand opportunities for hands-on, creative learning experiences both inside and outside of our school building,” said Dr. Brian Boyd, Mill Road’s longtime principal. “Our teachers are utilizing the outdoor pathway to the garden, the nature trail, and the outdoor stage more than ever before, helping students connect classroom learning to the world around them.”
The new pavilion provides Mill Road a second covered classroom space behind the school, joining the previous pavilion built beyond the grades PK-2 side along the Paul Menz pathway. The new space is located closer to the school building, lending itself to more opportunity for teachers to bring equipment and resources outside for lessons and makes it quicker for students to get to it and back to their traditional classroom. The pavilion is not far from the Garden Science classroom and its proximity to the 3-5 library – with doors that open directly out from the library – creates more possibility for students to enjoy reading time outdoors.  
The principal’s office is also close to the pavilion, and Boyd on Thursday visited the construction site often, delighting in watching it rise from a pile of rocks in less than a day.
“The addition of this outdoor classroom will create even more opportunities for students to be active, engaged learners while enjoying the benefits of being outside,” he said. “This space will support inquiry, collaboration, and exploration across many subject areas, while deepening students’ understanding of science through firsthand experiences in nature. We are excited to continue growing our outdoor learning environments and providing meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.”