Outdoor Learning

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Outdoor Learning and Play Street Program Adds to Boys’ Holistic Education

By Lily Miller, Communications Manager

Since December, Allen-Stevenson has had the privilege of using 78th Street in front of the school building for outdoor learning, allowing our boys to utilize this space for different types of educational and play purposes. New York City offered to close streets adjacent to schools to create the Outdoor Learning program so that students at public, charter and private schools could have the opportunity to be outside in a fresh air setting during the pandemic. In addition to providing opportunities for joyful exploration, outdoor learning has numerous benefits to our boys, including stress reduction, increased engagement, and improved concentration.

Our Athletics Department has set up basketball hoops and organized fun activities outside on the street! Boys across grades have been able to take much-needed movement breaks. Outdoor physical education has provided an excellent outlet for our boys to reduce stress and improve their overall health and wellness.

Fourth-grade artists also took their drawing talent to the road during class with Art Teacher Tara Parsons, utilizing our neighborhood buildings as models. Before they started to draw, boys observed their surroundings, looking at the unique details of the buildings and noticing how the lines and shapes interact. This space has also opened the door for our Chorus boys to resume in-person rehearsals! Boys sang wearing specially designed singers’ masks and maintained six-foot social distancing protocols on the street. After a long year of social distancing and remote rehearsals, we are so grateful that our students could come together in person to improve their musical talents and create beautiful music with classmates.

78th Street has also served as a spot for our boys to socialize over snacks and lunch. Many teachers bring picnic blankets out at mealtimes to break up the classroom routine and give boys a chance to spend time with classmates in the fresh air.

During the pandemic, this outdoor space has been a valuable asset and has allowed our boys to interact safely. Throughout all activities, our A-S Security Team members remain stationed by barriers at 78th Street and Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue, keeping our boys safe while they play and learn.