Have you ever really noticed the eight classroom trailers at CHES? Although a reality for many schools that have outgrown their school buildings, they are not usually considered a positive addition to the school landscape. The PTA Green Committee set out to try and improve them, and make them more of an asset for the students and the school community.
In the Spring of 2015, the committee applied for and received a grant from Keep Virginia Beautiful to carry out this project. The proposal was to assign each trailer with an environmental
theme. The themes for the trailers behind the school are the five geological regions of Virginia:
Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain. The themes for the three trailers beside
the school are Earth, Sun, and Moon.
Each trailer was to receive educational signage, planters, and other decorative improvements corresponding to its theme. The themes directly connect to the science and social studies curricula.
On October 10, 2015, PTA volunteers, teachers, parents, community partners, and student Environmental Cabinet members came together for a service project, aligning with the international Green Apple Day of Service organized annually by the Center for Green Schools. Educational signage was fabricated and installed by VA Print Shop. Deteriorated door mats were removed and replaced with new decorative flags and mats. The new flag brackets and poles were donated by Lowe's at Winterpock. The trailers are numbered 0-7, however many had outdated, damaged, or inconsistent labeling, so doors were cleaned and re-numbered. Brickman Group/Valley Crest donated all the supplies needed to give each trailer a new planter with brightly colored plants that will be maintained by Brickman.
It was a wonderful, fun day, the "learning cottages" have new life and fresh identities, and will hopefully be a little more inspiring for the people that use them every day. As the students can tell you, where we learn matters! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project, and to the school Administration for their enthusiastic support.
