The Dearborn Green Schoolyards initiative is a result of the district and City of Dearborn’s commitment to clean air, clean water, and clean energy sources for all citizens. Our focus is to connect our children to nature through nature-based learning, to educate them about their environment, and help them learn how to continue to conserve environmental resources. Our children need support to strengthen their physical, mental and emotional health through time spent outdoors.
Salina Intermediate has a beautiful garden where students work every day. The garden was donated by University of Michigan/Dearborn and Wayne State University and the district. The school team has a campus plan for expanding their Green Schoolyard. Green Schoolyards are outdoor environments that strengthen local ecological systems, provide learning opportunities, and foster a wide range of play and social opportunities while enhancing health and well-being. These schoolyards include trees, gardens, rain gardens, landscaping and play spaces, and resources designed for the students and the community. See these links for examples of nature playscapes and outdoor classrooms. Green Schoolyards also provide space for community members to use during non school hours.
The Green Schoolyards priority goals are Nature Playscapes for children to explore and play, climb, crawl, spin, swing, slide, and develop balance, flexibility and agility-all foundations for learning. Outdoor Classrooms are also a goal and these shelters will allow children to learn outside.
Many community organizations contribute to Green Schoolyards. Click here for a video on the benefit that the InterCultural Community Center in Dearborn (ICCD) hosted to support benches for Green Schoolyards. ACCESS is a partner in Green Schoolyards along with the City of Dearborn.
Individuals and groups can contribute financially at the green link below.
The school also has a volunteer program for many different activities. The Green Schoolyards team is always looking for partners to support the nature-focused learning initiative. Activities could be working in the garden, spending time with the students, being with children during outdoor time or other activities. In-kind donations are welcomed.
Contact Principal Eman Ahmed at ahmede@dearbornschools.org. or Assistant Principal Mohamed Abusalah at abusalm@dearbornschools.org.
The Dearborn Education Foundation is helping our schools collect funds for this project. Please consider making a donation on the link below. See the table below for acknowledgement of the generous friends and partners who are helping to make the dream of outdoor education and play for Salina children a reality. Their generosity and vision are valued.
Circles of Giving
| Golden Tree Circle $100,000+ | City of Dearborn Friends of the Rouge University of Michigan/Dearborn/Wayne State University: DSHINES Gardens |
| Silver Birch Circle $50,000-99,999 | Cleveland Cliffs CMS Energy Foundation Dearborn Sausage |
| Bronze Tree Circle $25,000-$49,999 | Dearborn Community Fund: POP Mural |
| Sequoia Circle $10,000-$24,999 | ACCESS: Musical Garden Home Depot: Garden supplies |
| Evergreen Circle $5000-$9,999 | Edw. C. Levy |
| Partner Circle $0-$4,999 | Southender (alumni) InterCultural Community Center of Dearborn: Fundraiser for benches Players Guild: Bench Boy Scouts: Bench The Exchange Club of Dearborn |
| Friend Circle In kind donation | Friends of the Rouge- 200 Trees, Rain Garden Intermediate Home Depot-Garden Supplies Players Guild: Bench/Elementary Boy Scouts: Bench/Intermediate University of Michigan/Dearborn Wayne State University: DSHINES Gardens ACCESS: Musical Garden Dearborn Community Fund: POP Mural Edw. C. Levy: future concrete removal |
The Salina Story
Kickoff Slide Show
Concept Map of Green Schoolyards
Resources for Connecting Children and Nature
Outdoor Classrooms (examples)