Netherlands TWP. An attempt to educate students through hands-on experiences with goats, chickens, and plants took another step forward this week, with an initial goal of opening this fall.
Rose Park Ranch, a barn and greenhouse set planned for Holland Christian Schools’ Rose Park Elementary School, will house two goats and three chickens—plus a barn cat.
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Miska Rynsburger, Principal at Rose Park, and Administrator Leanne Halma introduced several changes to the plan, which were approved in early 2020, at the Dutch Town Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 10. single shed.
“As we ventured and evolved with outdoor learning, we knew that doing this project a little differently would be a better experience for our students,” Halma said.
Two students also attended to speak in favor of the plan. One was holding a poster, while the other – fourth grader John Stenwick – spoke on the podium in a Dutch outfit.
“Rose Park has a lot of open space,” he said. “If we had a Rose Park Ranch, we could fill in some of that space. If we had a Rose Park Ranch, the kids who had to feed the animals would be taught the responsibilities, and also, if we had the Rose Park Ranch, the kids would learn the animals can actually see the animals while they’re learning about her “.
Rose Park previously had to apply to amend the zoning provision to allow a maximum of five animals designated for cultivation in any school with five acres or more. The amendment, backed by compelling writing from students, was passed in December 2019, paving the way for the project.
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“It was just before COVID closed the school,” Riinsberger told The Sentinel. “And then we became completely virtual, and until last year, we were dealing with blended learning. It was not a good time to take a new initiative. But now, it seems the standards are back and we can wake this project up again.”
The chickens at Rose Park Ranch are restricted to chickens. Organizers told the planning committee in 2020 that the animals would live off-site during the summer months. The revised plan was approved unanimously on Tuesday, with Rensberger – who is also the planning commissioner – abstaining.
“Our next step is to get the building permit,” Rinsberger said. “Hopefully to build the greenhouse soon. I’m not in the construction phase, but I’ve been told that projects are moving more slowly. We have more hope that the greenhouse and barn will be in place by the fall.”
“I think this still refers to children’s need to connect with nature, whether on a walk with their family or for it to be part of their fabric of home and school. In my opinion and experience, the more points of contact a child has in their formative years with nature, the more Healthier in terms of his development as a full-fledged child.”
– Contact reporter Cassandra Librink at [email protected] Follow her on Instagram @BizHolland.