(Batesville, IN) – Batesville City Council this week approved a $10,000 Belterra Fund request from the Batesville Community Education Foundation (BCEF) for an Outdoor Learning Complex on the west side of Batesville Primary School.
BCEF Executive Director Anne Wilson says one of the project’s goals is to alleviate the space problem at BPS.
“The other thing is we’ve done a lot of research that shows learning and being outside improves student outcomes,” Wilson told council. “They have improved focus, they have improved mental health, and actually improved academic outcomes due to the benefits of being outside.”
Wilson says the foundation is pursuing other funding sources for the project, including grants and through BCEF’s annual campaign, which kicks off this month.
The Batesville Community School Corporation will also help with accessibility costs.
She noted that Kids Discovery Factory and the Batesville Area Arts Council support the project, and plan to use the area for some of their events and programs, including outdoor movie nights.
Wilson says she believes this would be the first outdoor learning area at a Southeastern Indiana public school.
