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PRISTINE SCHOOL GROUNDS be reported and taken care of immediately. “We don’t want any
tripping hazards,” Rodman said. “Grounds personnel carry out
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 day-to-day tasks in a timely manner and understand their role for

not pristine or groomed for that day, that impacts behavior in the making school sites safe for children. It’s important to get things
classrooms.” done before the kids get there – even before teachers show up to
Student enrollment and education scores are impacted by give them a nice learning environment.”
facilities. “It’s a fact that good schools impact people moving in or e heavy equipment operator supports the grounds crew and is
driving through a neighborhood,” Jacobson said. “What does the the person who gets things done, Rodman said. e water manager
community see from not getting out of the car? e grass is cut checks the irrigation system at each site, looks for water saving
and the bushes are trimmed. It shows we care about our students.” measures, and schedules a water audit. e water manager also
Jacobson strongly recommended getting rid of gra ti, which he makes sure the heads are turning, there are no mainline leaks and
called a cancer that will grow if not removed, keep swings and other doesn’t allow anything less than 100 percent coverage.
playground equipment in safe working order, or you’re inviting a “ e water manager’s role is crucial to the overall plan,” Rodman
lawsuit, and properly dispose of trash. said. “If you don’t have water, you’re not going to have any grass,
“If trash is what you see from the car drop-o , that school could and if you don’t have any grass, you’re going to have dirt. at’s
have the best curriculum in the state, but I wouldn’t take my kids not a very good environment for children. It’s not like the olden
there,” Jacobson said. days. We’re in competition with each other. First impressions are
To have your school give visitors and students a great rst everything. You only get one chance.”
impression, you need a plan, even though you might not have Jacobson and Rodman also touched on having the right
the budget or personnel to accomplish everything you want. Key equipment to do the right job, including the need for a dump truck;
participants in the plan should include the community, Governing knowing how many acres of turf you have; the proper application
Board, Superintendent, administration and grounds sta . Funding of herbicides; how to cut the grass; conducting soil samples once a
sources may include M&O, capital funds under a 5-year plan, year; and aerating every 30 days.
bonds, grants and community partners. Jacobson recommended e grounds appearance de nitely has a positive impact on the
building landscaping into your capital plan. overall community and on student performance.
Sta ng to carry out the plan should include your director, “School performance increases when children learn outdoors,”
grounds supervisor, crew leader, grounds sta , heavy equipment Jacobson said. “A number of studies have documented increased
operator and water manager. Everything they do should focus on school performance through outdoor education. Research has
making sure the school is safe for children, he said. documented increased standardized test scores, enhanced attitude
e director’s role is to support the plan, allocate funding, about school, improved in-school behavior, improved attendance
conduct quality checks by walking campuses, support sta ng and overall enhanced student achievement when students learn
requests, hire the right personnel, and above all, emphasize safe in and about nature. In addition, outdoor education e ectively
school sites. employs a greater range of children’s intelligences. Many researchers
e grounds supervisor should develop a day-to-day plan, contribute the increase in performance to increased relevance and
develop long-term planning of at least ve years, and communicate hands-on experience of learning outdoors.”
with the director, site administration and sta members regarding
the plan. e supervisor should also oversee quality control and Robert Jacobson can be reached at: rjacobson@laveeneld.org or
safety awareness. (602) 237-9100, ext. 3040.
e rst thing every day, the crew leader should conduct
safety checks on all equipment and report safety concerns to Donnie Rodman can be reached at: drodman@laveeneld.org or
the supervisor. If a playground structure is not safe, it should (602) 237-9100.

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