Centre City Elementary School announced April 14 that their newly redone outdoor courtyard is now open for the students and staff to use.
There are now fabric tarp coverings in the courtyard for shade during particularly hot days and new benches to provide seating. There is also a large open area that can now be used for a variety of different activities for the students and staff alike. There are also flowers and bushes planted throughout the courtyard for some finishing touches.
Staff can use it to enjoy a meal on a nice day or to relax and destress. Students can use the courtyard to learn, read, study and play during certain parts of the day. The courtyard will also be used for any spring events and activities.
The idea for a new courtyard, which replaces the school’s old gazebo, was first pitched back in the fall by an Eagle Scout who was looking for an idea of a project to do.
“We had an Eagle Scout approach us seeking an idea for a project,” Centre City Principal Jennifer Cavalieri said. “Our courtyard had been quite rundown with a gazebo that was old and needed removal and no areas of shade for classes to go outside to learn. We presented this option to them, and they were grateful for the opportunity and came up with a proposal.”
After this proposal was made, the Mantua Township School district then went into the motions of coming up with a plan for the project.
“[The Eagle Scout and troop] came out in mid-fall to preview the area, seek out our desires and wishes and come up with a plan,” Cavalieri said. The plan was then board-approved and executed. They spent two weekends on the gazebo removal, building of the benches and shade areas, purchased all needed supplies, cleaned up the grounds and planted grass. Now that it is spring, we just hung the fabric coverings up for use in the warmer weather and the grass is growing beautifully.”
Since the opening of the newly redone courtyard, the reaction to it has been a positive one from staff and students alike.
“They’re pleased with how nice it looks now and it’s much safer with the old gazebo removed and the new shade areas established,” Cavalieri said.
