Poland North Elementary School goes Wild

By Denise Dick | May 7, 2010 at 12:09a.m.

By DENISE DICK

poland

North Elementary School is officially a Wild School, and it has nothing to do with student behavior.

The school received the designation Thursday from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the 104th in the state, fifth in Mahoning County and second school in Poland to earn the distinction. Union Elementary was designated a Wild School Site last year.

“We encourage schools to have teachers work with students outdoors using the curriculum,” said Jamey Graham, wildlife communication specialist at the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

North’s courtyard includes a pond, flowers, bird feeders, a green house and an arbor.

“We all knew the school was wild a long time ago,” joked Principal Michael Masucci.

The school’s PTO contributed to creating the site and PondScape of Boardman designed and installed the pond feature.

Louis Buchmann of PondScape said it marks the first time the company has installed a pond at a school.

Children christened the water feature by releasing multi-colored butterfly coy that will live in the pond year-round. Students will feed the fish.

Third-graders Alicia Connelly, Tallon Price and Marissa Gordon, all 9, crouched with their classmates around the pond to release their fish.

“I like him,” Alicia said. “He’s black, orange and white.”

She listed the pond as her favorite element of the Wild School area.

“He’s cool,” explained Tallon. “I want to try to teach him tricks.”

He concedes that may be difficult, but Marissa offered that they could place a small hoop into the pond for the fish to swim through.

They haven’t picked a name for their new finned friend yet, but Marissa suggested SpongeBob after the television character.

The pond and the flowers are her favorite aspects of the courtyard.

For Tallon, it’s the pond and the fish.

Tammy Sabrin, PTO president, said the organization used money raised through fundraisers to help pay for the pond, believing the outdoor space is something the children enjoy.

Sabrin’s two sons, Nicholas and Dominic, in fourth grade and kindergarten at the school, respectively, return from the school day, talking about their outdoor activities.

“They’re extremely excited about it,” she said.