Green schoolyards build lifelong learners

OPINION – When we began teaching at Victoria Avenue Elementary over twenty years ago, my sister and I could hardly imagine the possibility of having a living classroom right in our own schoolyard. We salvaged 10 old wooden boxes that were on their way to the landfill to create two small flowerbeds. Once we saw our student’s eyes light up with excitement and wonder, we knew we needed to secure funding to transform our entire schoolyard. We worked in partnership with our school and the district and applied for multiple grants to transform these modest, DIY garden boxes into a living classroom and to replace asphalt with grass and trees to cool down the playground during hot days. We still have a long way to reach our vision for a truly green schoolyard, but we can already see the effects of our work on our students.

Our hope is for every school in California to share our experience and access the benefits of green schoolyards, and we are not alone. 71% of California voters are in favor of including $1 billion for green schoolyards and playgrounds in the 2024 education bond measure. The time for action is now to transform asphalt lots into vibrant green schoolyards for schools across California to improve the daily lives of our students, educators, and communities.

Green schoolyards swap out blacktops for trees, gardens, and up-to-date play equipment that delivers an abundance of emotional and academic benefits to students. They are not just recreational spaces; we have found that they are critical infrastructure for schools that enhance learning and safeguard our students from the harmful effects of extreme heat. Studies have also shown that green schoolyards contribute significantly to students’ overall well-being and performance. Every child, no matter where they were raised or their family’s income level, deserves access to a safe, green space to learn and play.

From Transitional Kindergarten “Roly Poly Patrol” to our fifth-grade gardening club, students learn and play in our green schoolyard, witnessing the magic of nature and its growth over the years. They engage in interdisciplinary learning that transcends conventional classroom boundaries, connecting science with art, increasing student performance in STEAM subjects from a young age, and instilling a sense of environmental stewardship from a young age.

The garden has a great social-emotional impact on the students. They often comment about it as a peaceful area, a place where they can be calm. Beyond the lessons, the students will ask to just go walk and spend time in the garden. When you visit our campus, it is easy to recognize the difference in our students’ behavior and attentiveness.

The impact extends beyond school grounds. On field trips, our students astound educators with their profound understanding of nature, cultivated through hands-on experiences in our gardens. Moreover, our green schoolyard serves as a catalyst for career exploration, inspiring students to pursue career paths like environmental engineering and horticulture, futures beyond traditional professions. Most California kids don’t have access to these learning opportunities though because their schoolyard is still an asphalt lot – that needs to change.

The environmental benefits extend beyond the school gates, particularly in communities like ours grappling with air pollution and flooding risks. As we see an increase in extreme heat events, this compounds the harmful health effects of air pollution, which disproportionately harms communities of color and low-income communities,” said the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. Green schoolyards act as climate superheroes; porous surfaces absorb stormwater and prevent floods while trees cool down play spaces and the surrounding community. Furthermore, community involvement flourishes around these green spaces. We’ve seen the school’s local neighborhood volunteer in the gardens. Investing in spaces that strengthen community ties and shared values enables long-term sustainability, health, well-being, and resilience.

Beyond enhancing our children’s learning outcomes and supporting community resilience, green schoolyards empower teachers with dynamic teaching tools, fostering student engagement and curiosity. Yet, despite our tireless efforts to secure grants, funding remains a persistent challenge. We are not done. As proud as we are of our progress, we would like to continue to expand our garden to add green space for creative play and exploration. By including $1 billion for green schoolyards in this year’s education bond, we are investing in our children’s future and giving teachers more tools to engage their students and create new learning experiences.

Luis G. Sandoval is a fifth-grade teacher at Victoria Avenue Elementary in South Gate; Mitssi Sandoval is a kindergarten teacher at Victoria Avenue Elementary.