BY LINDA CONNER LAMBECK

WESTPORT — Two years after the start of the pandemic, elementary students could return next fall to schools with outdoor classrooms or sensory equipment designed to help them feel more comfortable.

The Board of Education, with six members present, voted unanimously on Monday to ask town officials to allocate $216,056 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for equipment and installations at the district’s five elementary schools.

The decision follows requests earlier this year for $439,000 to build obstacle courses at Bedford and Coleytown Middle Schools and roughly $63,000 to create an outdoor adventure learning center at Staples High School. Together, the projects total about $718,000. 

Secondary School Equipment in Pipeline

The SHS request has already received approval from the Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting. The middle school requests are on tonight’s (Tuesday’s) RTM, according to Elio Longo, the district’s chief financial officer.

Invited to request a piece of the town’s $8.4 million COVID relief funding, school officials have worked for most of the year on plans that fit within the scope of the federal aid to help students adjust and catch up since the start of the pandemic.

Some examples of furniture to aid in attention. (Slide from BOE presentation)

In the case of the elementary schools, the request is to create unique outdoor learning spaces at two — Kings Highway and Greens Farms — while Coleytown, Long Lots, and Saugatuck Elementary Schools would get flexible seating, desks, workstations, and recess equipment that was selected by staff at the respective schools. All the plans are different, including those at GFS and KHS.

Greens Farms outdoor classroom would be a wooden hexagon structure in the rear of the property, near a school garden, said Kevin Cazzetta, principal of the school.

The location would enhance the garden’s use and, enclosed with a fence, the space can be used as a classroom, for after school and summer activities, and for meetings, he said.

Hoping for Fall

Cazzetta told the board the hope is for the grand opening at the GFS back-to-school party in early September. The PTA plans to also fundraise to enhance the space even more, perhaps with an outdoor white board.

“It’s additional (school) space,” Cazzetta said. “I think by moving outside …it’s just appealing to all of our students.”

A look at the kind of outdoor covering being sought for Kings Highway. (Slide from BOE presentation)

 He envisions the space being used for a good chunk of the school year.

Last week, KHS principal Tracey Carbone outlined her school’s plan to cover an outdoor courtyard with a 30- by 40-foot pavilion covering with flooring, seating and equipment. Its ARPA request totals $43,148.

Because of the larger space at KHS, Carbone said it would have been much more expensive to go with a wooden structure planned by GFS.

“We wanted a space that, regardless of rain or snow, we could be out there,” she said.

There is also an effort being made to have something in the space for every subject, not just science.

To Tie to Curriculum & Learning

BOE Vice Chair Liz Heyer said she loves the idea of outdoor classrooms but wants to see more of how the classes will tie them into learning plans and the curriculum.

“It’s a lot of money to ask for … Kids go outside now,” she said.

Some details about the needs for student movement during the school day. (Slide from BOE presentation)

Cazzetta said plans will be created once the structures are in place.

“We have to learn how to use them,” he said.

At the other schools, the plan is to focus on a combination of indoor and outdoor equipment to help students “self-regulate.”

The pandemic caused several social and emotional difficulties, school officials told the board. Students have trouble sitting, attending to tasks, and even participating in school.

Even with two recesses and movement breaks, they said, some students need more.

Beth Messler, principal at SES, said district occupational and physical therapists were consulted to come up with a list of flexible seating options.

Every Child is Different

Not every child needs the same option to relieve stress, she said. Some need more movement. Others need a more calming environment.

The menageries planned for the other schools include wobble stools, pedal desks, collaborative workstations, chairs that rock, adjustable table tops and more.

Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarise said it made sense to individualize the spaces, particularly at LLS, which is poised to undergo major construction.

SES, which is requesting a total of $52,193, would also get some outdoor sensory equipment, including a balance device for the playground, music makers and benches.

CES is looking for a total of $52,628, which LLS is looking for a total of $40,488.

BOE Chair Lee Goldstein said she liked the plans, including the fact that each is a little different.

“This is really necessary for people to be able to concentrate and learn,” she said. “The cost is what it is.”

Camilo Riano, the only parent to speak on the requests, said the plans were good, but worried that some of what the principals described made it seem like classrooms were becoming like “gyms.”

“It seems a little too much,” he said. “We need a balance.

The ARPA funding approval will next be put before the Board of Finance for consideration.

Linda Conner Lambeck is a freelance writer with a specialty in education issues, as well as a regular contributor to the Westport Journal. Learn more at this link.