Algonac outdoor classroom revived by community, school district

It took over a year to revive the outdoor classroom at Algonquin Elementary School, and school officials said every hour was worth its transformation.

The revitalization project was started by fifth grade teacher Nikki DeGowske in the fall of 2022. She noticed that the area was getting more and more run down and decided to take action to clean it up for future use. With the help of Algonac Community Schools, Algonac Lions Club, Algonac Rotary Club, Friends of the St. Clair River and members of the community, the outdoor classroom was revived.

DeGowske said she is very proud to see the classroom reopened.

"This was such a great partnership with the community, so seeing it like this feels great," she said. "This is not just for the kids, it's for the whole community."

Students have already started to utilize the space. Sixth graders have begun a pond ecosystem section in their science classes and fifth graders have been out to clean up the trails. DeGowske said she's also seen some students fishing in the pond after school.

Efforts to restore the classroom included clearing the surrounding trails, clearing fallen trees, rebuilding the podium and seating and replacing the trailhead sign.

A grand reopening for the outdoor classroom and its surrounding trails was held on Friday morning. During the reopening, fifth graders participated in the school's second Bio Blitz, which saw students wading in the pond to identify what was inside of it.

Sixth grade students Jaxon Aldridge, 11, Ryan Coker, 12 and Huntley Smith, 11, all participated in the Bio Blitz last year. They said they are very happy and excited to see the new and improved outdoor classroom.

"Last time we went out here, the benches were overgrown and couldn't be sat on," Aldridge said. "I'm happy to see it be used again."

Coker said he's hoping to see more animals come to the outdoor classroom. He said it already looks so much healthier than what it used to look like. Smith said she happy that students younger than her will get to experience the outdoor classroom.

Algonac Superintendent Al Latosz said the community and school truly came together for this project. He said reviving the outdoor classroom will not only benefit the students, but also the community as a whole.

"This is what education is all about," he said. "I can't thank Mrs. DeGowske enough for taking this on. She spent countless hours of her own time to make this happen. She's awesome."

The grand reopening was also attended by Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson and State Senator of the 12th District Kevin Hertel. Hertel said he was excited to see a project like this within the community, especially one that involved local youth.

"I would have loved this at their age, and it would be something that would make me want to go to school," Hertel said. "This is an incredible opportunity for kids to explore."

Bryson said this project is the perfect example of public and private sectors coming together for a project.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Algonac Community Schools revives outdoor classroom