OSSE has compiled resources to support the establishment or enhancement of outdoor learning on school grounds for schools. These resources are intended to provide options to schools to safely and equitably provide in-person instruction.
Below is a list of resources currently available. Additional resources are in development and will be posted soon. Please let us know what resources would support outdoor learning in your school by completing this survey.
How to Begin
- FAQ
- The CDC’s Operational Considerations for Schools, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools, and OSSE’s DC Health's Guidance for Schools all include moving classrooms outside if the conditions are safe and conducive to a learning environment (must consider weather conditions, pollution, wildlife, etc.), as well as having meals outside to avoid congregating in cafeterias or being indoors with masks off.
- Numerous benefits to students, especially in areas that have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
Planning and Designing Outdoor Spaces
- Outdoor Learning Technical Assistance for Site Assessment and Planning
- Outdoor Learning Training Series
- Outdoor Learning 101
- Creating Buy in for Using Outdoor Learning Spaces on Nov. 17, 2021: Register
- Planning and Creating Outdoor Learning Spaces on Jan. 27, 2022: Register
- Designing Spaces
- Outdoor Weather and Allergies
- Examples of Materials
- Photos from District schools of various elements of outdoor learning spaces, such as outdoor classroom structures, meeting areas, seating, and more.
- Canopy (protection from weather elements)
- Seating
- Teaching Supplies and Storage
- Procurement and Funding
- Materials Checklist for Outdoor Learning
- Procurement Tool for Outdoor Learning
- District School Garden Funding Guidance
- ESSER III-ARP Funding Strategy Guide for LEAs
- Physical Health and Safety: Outdoor learning equipment and supplies eligible under Facility and Outdoor Space Upgrades and Modifications (A2)
- Support Across Learning Environments: Outdoor learning equipment and supplies and landscaping for outdoor classrooms eligible under Facility and Outdoor Space Upgrades and Modifications (A2)
- Whole Child Supports: Supplies for alternative delivery of meal program eligible under Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Physical Health Supports (B1)
- Alternative Locations
- Using Public Spaces as Outdoor Classrooms
- Park Rx America identifies parks within a 0.5 or 1.0 mile radius of an address
Resources for Teachers and Educators
- Tip Sheet for Outdoor Learning
- Outdoor Learning Training Series
- Outdoor Learning 101
- Group Management Outdoors on March 2, 2022: Register
- Teaching and Learning Strategies on April 21, 2022: Register
- Webinars
- Walking Field Trips
- Distance Learning Resources for Environmental Literacy
Resources for Meal Service Providers
- Outdoor Meals at School
- Serving Meals Inside (and Outside!) of Schools
- Tip Sheet for Outdoor Learning: Recommendations for Outdoor Meal Service
- Guidance for School Food Authorities (SFAs) to serve meals in the 2021-22 school year.
- No Kid Hungry Equipment List for 2021-22 School Year
Case Studies
- Video and case study of Whittier ES
- Patterson ES featured in OSSE’s Sprout It Out monthly newsletter
- Field reports from the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative’s Community of Practice for Schools and District’s Moving Learning Outside. Scroll the page to find the following DC presentations:
- Briya PCS (Meeting #33)
- OSSE (Meeting #30)
- DC Coalition for Equitable and Outdoor Education (Meeting #18)
- Webinar hosted by the DC State Board of Education’s Well-Rounded Education Committee with speakers from Cardozo EC, Friendship PCS, Horace Mann ES, and FreshFarm FoodPrints
- DCPS sites that ordered outdoor learning infrastructure supplies for SY21-22
Additional Information
- OSSE’s School Garden, Environmental Literacy, and Farm to School programs
- DOEE’s RiverSmart Schools Program
- RiverTools Field Manual and Growing Strong: A Comprehensive Guide to Support All School Garden Programs in the District
- DC Coalition for Equitable Outdoor Education website
- Chesapeake Bay Program’s School Grounds for Learning resources on Bay Backpack
- Green Schoolyards America’s National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative Resource Library