Odell School Outdoor Classroom Renovation

Hello! I am Vincent Simone, a Boy Scout with Troop 38 at Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church. The Odell Elementary Outdoor classroom, garden, and picnic tables used for student seating suffered from overgrowth and deterioration during the school closings due to Covid-19. I am raising funds for my Eagle Service Project to fix or replace everything where needed. The garden itself will be weeded, plants trimmed or removed, and the the weed barrier will be replaced as needed. The rotted picnic tables will be replaced with new painted tables constructed from pressure-treated wood at the school's request. Lastly, the classroom area will be re-mulched or graveled and graded for proper drainage.

The science classroom and gardens were constructed and maintained by the Learning Connections program since Odell Elementary reopened in 2016 after being rebuilt. Although the Learning Connections faculty manage the upkeep, it is available to be enjoyed by all classrooms and students.

Learning Connections is a program that provides structure, routine, and strategies to support students on the autism spectrum. This project is very important to me because I was in the Learning Connections program from the third through tenth grades. The program focuses on helping students develop appropriate behavior, as well as social, communication, and study skills. The goal is to provide students with the support and skills necessary so he or she can be successful in the general education settings as they progress through school. I believe I could not have achieved the level of success in school that I have without this program.

I ask that you please donate generously to support my project as well as the students on the autism spectrum that are following in my footsteps.