Haley Elementary wins first Kirk Meyer Schoolyard Award

The Boston Schoolyard Initiative announced today that the Dennis C. Haley Pilot Elementary School is the first recipient of the Kirk Meyer Schoolyard Award. The award recognizes the school that best integrates the schoolyard into the life and fabric of its school and community.

“On any given day, you’ll find teachers and students outdoors using this schoolyard for teaching and learning -- as well as for active play,” said Myrna Johnson, Executive Director of the Boston Schoolyard Funders Collaborative. “Today’s children have so little opportunity to explore and learn about their natural world. Students at the Haley do, and that is exciting.”

The Haley School serves around 300 students in grades K1-5 and has a theme focus on the environment and community. Its innovative schoolyard, renovated by the Boston Schoolyard Initiative in 1999, is central to pursuing these themes. Neighborhood families and children also use the schoolyard, and an active friends group helps maintain the space.

According to Ross Wilson, Haley School principal, “As the principal of the Haley Pilot School I am proud of our school’s focus on our local environment and community. Our students, faculty and neighbors take great pride in the schoolyard. It serves as a learning tool, a place to gather and play as well as a connection between our school and community.”

"We are proud to join the Boston Schoolyard Initiative in congratulating the Haley Elementary School on receiving this award," said Dr. Carol R. Johnson, Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools. "The Haley community – including students, staff, families and partners – has emerged as a local and national model for creative, thoughtful, ongoing use of outdoor space to promote student achievement and recreation. At the Haley, learning happens in and out of the classroom every day."

The Kirk Meyer Award, named after the founding executive director of the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, was created to recognize a school in the Boston Public School system that has done the most to integrate its schoolyard into the life and fabric of the school and community. The Haley School is the first recipient of the award.

The Boston Schoolyard Initiative (BSI) transforms Boston’s schoolyards into dynamic centers for recreation, learning and community life. Since 1995, BSI has completed capital projects on 75 schoolyards, including full schoolyard renovations and new outdoor classrooms. BSI’s education program helps BPS teachers use the schoolyard as a resource for teaching and learning. For more information, see www.schoolyards.org.

PHOTO: Members of the Schoolyard Initiative crew help plant two commemorative pear trees near the wetlands area of the outdoor classroom.