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Learning Beyond Four Walls....
FOUNDING FAMILIES
Unique opportunity to be a
Founding Family at a $1,500 contribution.

This groundbreaking outdoor educational space will enhance and support Grayhawk Elementary School's curriculum by providing design elements that serve as teaching tools.
Contribute to this project!

Can you help support our PTO with funds that will directly 
go towards this groundbreaking project?




​
Calling All Grayhawk Family:

Are you (or your business)
interested in being a part
of this exciting project?

Have input? 
Have a resource?
Please, join us!
Do you have
questions or comments
about the
Outdoor Classroom project?
​
Email our team!
Outdoor Classroom Updates:
APRIL 2022 OC UPDATE
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BREAKING GROUND

Official breaking ground for structure/support poles on Monday, 4/25!!! WAHOO!

​More updates coming soon. 
LET THERE BE SHADE! 
(MARCH 24, 2022 *plans subject to change)
March 22, 2022 UPDATE: 
  • We are refining the amphitheater construction documents and are planning to accept a bid from a general contractor!
  • The layout of the amphitheater has been revised and repainted to adjust the ADA area and modify the teacher podium area.
  • We have identified all lines underground and will have the area blue-staked by 811 this week.
  • 4 tables and corresponding benches for the two classroom areas have been ordered and are in production.
  • 2 overlapping shade sails with 5 concrete posts has been ordered and draft engineering documents are being finalized for review and stamping.
  • Reading/small group area furniture and 2 8'x8' whiteboards are in the ordering process. 
  • Weather station for STEM activity is being chosen and donated.
  • We have chosen design and will have a bid by the end of the week on the following:
  • 40" world globe (made of core foam material)
  • Artificial turf area with painted US map
  • Donor "book" with tree design for path entering amphitheater.

Next Steps:
  • Final meeting with GC, MRT, and team to solidify revised construction documents.
  • Present documents and walk the site with district leaders.
  • The HOA is approving our shade structure colors and tables/bench colors.  We will be presenting at April's meeting and asking for a donation to our Outdoor Classroom.
02.11.2022 UPDATE

Breaking Ground! 
​
It’s happening!!!! Friday, February 11th we broke ground on the #grayhawkoutdoorclassroom
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01/2022: UPDATE

The dreams of our special enhancements are becoming a reality and we have exciting news!

​Due to a recent very generous financial donation by a Grayhawk family, we are moving forward with PHASE 1 of our Outdoor Classroom! 

We have submitted for district approval to begin build on a 100 person amphitheater and shade sail system! 

This 10,000 square foot space on the east side of the school will be an area for teachers and students to support the Core Knowledge curriculum and will also include classroom tables and seating for 50 students with markerboards, a small agriculture lab with viewable planters for life cycle study, a reading nook area with stools for a small group, an interactive US map and a world globe. STEM additions will include a small pulley system, a magnet gear/crank wall, and a weather station! 

Construction will begin soon! More updates coming soon... Thank you for your support and patience. (See updated photos)
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08/06/21: Project Construction Plan! Our Grayhawk team met with representatives from MRT Design and Willmeng Construction to discuss material selection, focus area priorities, construction cost estimates, and process timeline. We will have a meeting to discuss their contracting bid in 2 weeks!
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07/30/21: Have you noticed the dust? The portables are gone and this amazing space {just south of the front parking lot} is going to be transformed into a high tech, environment friendly, and beautiful #OutdoorClassroom - Soooo much more info to come...
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4/20/21: MRT Design conducted a site visit with our Grayhawk outdoor classroom team!  We are getting feedback from our teachers on specific design elements that they can use as teaching tools to help support the Core Knowledge curriculum.  MRT Design is currently developing an initial schematic design that we will discuss in the coming weeks.  We will be giving an update at the May 12th PTO meeting, in addition to answering any questions prior to the executive board's vote on a special budget request of $75,000 for construction of the Outdoor Classroom.
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Document Library:
4/12/21 Presentation
File Size: 2561 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
MRT Design Proposal 4/9/21
File Size: 7171 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
3/25/21 Cost/Budget info
File Size: 8491 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File
3/8/21 PTO Presentation
File Size: 2021 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
02/22/21 Staff Survey
File Size: 449 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
02/08/21 PTO Presentation
File Size: 1154 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Prior Updates from the Project Managers:
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4/20/21: MRT Design conducted a site visit with our Grayhawk outdoor classroom team!  We are getting feedback from our teachers on specific design elements that they can use as teaching tools to help support the Core Knowledge curriculum.  MRT Design is currently developing an initial schematic design that we will discuss in the coming weeks.  We will be giving an update at the May 12th PTO meeting, in addition to answering any questions prior to the executive board's vote on a special budget request of $75,000 for construction of the Outdoor Classroom.
4/12/21: The Grayhawk PTO is moving forward with the planning and development of our Outdoor Classroom Space and is making huge progress!
We are excited to announce that Grayhawk PTO has partnered with MRT Design LLC to establish a sustainable and technologically advanced outdoor classroom for Pre-K - 6th grade.
At May’s PTO meeting, a Special Budget Request will be voted on by the Executive Board for a budget of up to $75,000 for the outdoor classroom. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email outdoorclassroom@grayhawkpto.com
3/25/21: We are moving right along in our Outdoor Classroom Journey!  Today, a special PTO meeting was held to discuss designers and propose a special budget.  We are so happy to announce that Nature Explore has been selected to design our outdoor space.  Nature Explore (natureexplore.org) is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to outdoor classroom design, educator workshops, and sourcing natural products.  Next steps are a check with facilities to ensure we have selected an appropriate space and selecting a steering committee.  Please let us know if you are interested in serving on the steering committee.
Outdoor Classroom Project Managers:  Gretchen Hanna & Elise Sparks  outdoorclassroom@grayhawkpto.com
Outdoor Classroom Team Members:  Lisa Mabry