Ideal School Map

I.D.L Garden Campus

• The area within the quarry has been leveled considerably to aid wheelchair accessibility.
  
• The Amphitheater is an all-school assembly area. Many class plays and other events take place here as well. The sixth grade Arriba y Adelante ceremony takes place there at the end of each school year.
  
• The tables under the trees near the Amphitheater are used during lunchtime and by classes during class time.
  
• The trees are fruit trees, giving back tasty nutrients, shade, and beauty.
  
• There is a small meadow of native grasses surrounded by trees. Some PE classes use it for yoga. Other classes use it for meditation or quiet class time.
  
• Composting is part of the school’s waste management plan. There are Recycling Cans and Compost Cans in many places but the Garbage Cans are harder to find, this encourages students to think about what actually belongs in the trash. Every month a different class collects the Compost waste to add to the piles. They weigh and sort the waste. They also keep track of the data and report to the rest of the school at assembly. CompostWaste
  
• The materials for constructing the beds and compost shed will be reclaimed building materials. We will also construct the outdoor tables with reclaimed wood.
• The Compost Shed has sinks at either end. Outdoor sinks will also be previously owned.
  
• Paths are made of permeable concrete. This maintains clean shoes and classrooms, better wheelchair access, and the water drains through to replenish the water table. The Amphitheater is also built of permeable concrete
  
• The chickens produce fertilizer and eggs. The eggs will either be used as part of the meal program or they may be sold as part of a Farmer’s Market fundraising event.
  
• The Row/Market Crop area can be used for the school meal program or they may be sold as part of a Farmer’s Market fundraiser.
  
• The Flower Garden is sometimes used for Farmer’s Market, other times students may take flowers to their elderly friends during their community service.
  
• The Three Sisters Garden, History Gardens, Berry Area, Story Gardens, Pizza Beds, and Medicinal and Culinary Herb Bed are some of the ideas that Life Lab uses to incorporate different areas of learning with work in the garden.
  
• There are two wheelchair accessible raised beds.
  
• Drip irrigation will be used in some areas but in many others, the row crops for example, it will be more efficient to use soaker hoses. Soaker hose installation is simple which will be beneficial if the gardens are changing from year to year. Irrigation
• The pond serves the dual purpose of providing a location for scientific observation and acts as a holding area for excess water. It may be dry during some parts of the year.
• There is a climbing wall that students use during PE.
• There are several caves built into the wall to more fully utilize the quarry space.
• Students are encouraged to try different means of commuting to and from school. Many ride their bikes, others carpool, some walk and some take the bus to school. There are bike racks under the trees. A popular PE class unit involves riding bikes.

By Magdalena