St Joseph University School (SJUS), the oldest operating Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Buffalo now celebrating its 175th anniversary, is excited to announce the launch of a one-of-a-kind initiative exclusive to SJUS – the Outdoor Education Program: Learning Through Nature.
Built on a significant body of research, the program is centered on the belief that a child’s capacity to learn is greatly expanded when that learning can take place outdoors. There are two parts to the program: Integrating the school curriculum for all grade levels into lessons and experiences that are conducted outdoors and using nature as the classroom, and developing a nutritional education program using the outdoors to learn about where food comes from and the value of fresh fruits and vegetables.
“An initial grant from a private donor provided the funds to begin the planning phase for this ambitious endeavor,” said Principal Mark Mattle. “The first step is developing the physical environment to house the program. This process is a collaborative effort involving teachers, students and landscape architects to reimagine what is currently an expanse of green space adjacent to the school.
“Once fully developed, plans will be shared with the student and faculty community, parishioners and community stakeholders. An initial announcement about the project is planned for our annual Back to School Event in August that will highlight nature experiences for students and include an ice cream social in the school cafeteria.”
“This program is another reflection of the school’s commitment to educating the whole child — physically, socially and spiritually,” added M. Anne Wojick, director of curriculum & partnership. “No other school in the Diocese currently offers such a program.”
There are a limited number of openings for the 2024-25 school year. To learn more about this one-of-a-kind program and all that SJUS has to offer, please call (716) 835-7395 for a personalized visit and more information about funding assistance and the registration process. Additional information about the school, located at 3275 Main St., can be found at sjsbuffalo.org.
