Spring Update: Thank you to all the parent volunteers who have donated their time to pull weeds, skim the pond, and maintain our Outdoor Classroom! Volunteers who helped from the months of October through March were entered in a (surprise!) drawing and our winner is...Terra Wahl-Lau! Congratulations! The Science Department will reach out to you in the next few days with some details. Additionally, we have added a few more slots in April. Please sign up below if you are able to help out! 



March Update: We've added a few weeding sessions for the next two weeks. If you are able to help, please sign up below. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who have and continue to support our ODC! 

One of the many special things about Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet School is our Outdoor Classroom! The ODC is a one-acre garden that is regularly used by all the students during science class. In the last few years, 5th graders have been lending a helping hand in caring for this special space. 

We have a few volunteer opportunities for parents to get involved in the ODC during the school day. With your support, we can continue to improve different aspects of the garden to enhance the learning experience for all our students.  

PLANT COMMUNITY CARE AND WEED REMOVAL:
To get our ODC biomes as "native" as possible, we can use extra hands with manual invasive plant and weed removal in areas like the redwood forest, grassland, and along the paths.  By tackling them now, especially while the weather is good for outdoor work, we can make lots of progress in removing them before they spread their seeds.  In doing so, we're also creating space for our beautiful natives to thrive.  Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting a bit dirty.  All tools and equipment will be provided (e.g., weeding tools, gloves, and kneeling pads).

POND SKIMMING:
Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who have signed up for Pond Skimming in the last few months. With the seasons changing, having a few extra hands each week to assist with clearing out leaves and branches from the ponds has been a tremendous help! If you would like to continue volunteering, or are new to this and want to give a try, please sign up below.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes with good traction. You are not required to be a cleared volunteer but please sign in at the front office before heading to the Outdoor Classroom. Be sure to note which date and time works with your schedule as the time frames vary. 

We appreciate all of your help and support with maintaining our Outdoor Classroom! We couldn't do it without you!