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Toms River North Courtyard Classroom
Sustainable Jersey has given Toms River High School North a $10,000 grant to convert the school's courtyard into an outdoor classroom.
According to the district, the OurSpace Courtyard will transform the courtyard into a location for students to nurture and exhibit their creative and life skills, encourage art and inclusivity, and take a mental health respite from the rigors of the school day.
A butterfly and sensory garden will be built, as well as an old greenhouse that will be used into a seating space. The Arts Academy at the school will be in charge of the space's creative design, which will include murals and a sculpture garden.
The New Jersey Education Association financed Sustainable Jersey for Schools, which gave 16 $10,000 grants and 10 $2,000 awards to programs across the state.
"I'm very much looking forward to seeing where our students take this new courtyard, and how their work will inspire others," Superintendent Mike Citta said. "It's remarkable how our schools are able to forge and retain their identities while also being inspired by projects that meet our collective mission."
This is the district's second $10,000 grant for a Sustainable Jersey-sponsored outdoor space at Toms River North. Setting the Stage for Outdoor Learning, a bio-diverse outdoor classroom featuring a stage, was also awarded to the district in 2018.
Through the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program, the NJEA has donated $1.75 million to support a sustainable future for children across the state.
