Both the Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM) and the Municipality of Grey Highlands have received requests from local schools to provide municipal picnic tables in order to facilitate additional outdoor learning opportunities for local students.
“Picnic tables will be used by all classes as an outdoor classroom,” explained Raylene Martell, director of council and legislative services and clerk for Grey Highlands. “The Bluewater District School Board has approved the use of picnic tables by schools, if teachers follow the two-student per picnic table policy.”
The Municipality of Grey Highlands council received the request from Grade 4/5 teacher Jessica Elkins at Macphail Elementary School. She is looking to take her students outside.
“Given the circumstances with the pandemic and social distancing, it's fairly challenging to be an educator at this time,” said Grey Highlands councillor Cathy Little.
Karen Govan, CAO for Grey Highlands, pointed out that the municipality does not have any additional picnic tables in storage.
“Our public health is promoting more outdoor activities for members of the public. So, I think we have to be cognizant of the fact that we should maintain some sort of seating in our parks and open spaces as well,” Govan said. “I think it's a fantastic idea to help the students but I wouldn't want to deplete all of our inventory.”
Grey Highlands generally leaves its picnic tables in public spaces until the end of September.
“We have 43 picnic tables, so if we took two from our major locations we could absolutely supply 15, which would mean we would still have some picnic tables for our residents and the general public to use at our public spaces,” said Michele Harris, director of community and economic development.
The Grey Highlands Council approved supplying Macphail Elementary with 15 tables, but with several other schools in the municipality, council members also raised concerns that more requests may come forward.
“Should there be subsequent requests to come in, that we put a call out to the community to participate in this endeavour to support our students,” Govan added.
Council directed staff to work with community groups to try to source additional tables.
The TBM council received a similar request directly from the Bluewater School Division to supply picnic tables for use at Beaver Valley School.
“Through conversations with the principal at Beaver Valley Community School, they have requested 50 picnic tables to allow as much outdoor teaching and opportunities as possible,” explained Ryan Gibbons, director of community services for TBM.
TBM council approved town staff to supply 50 picnic tables to Beaver Valley School, and also waived the associated $325 fee.
