MARY JO
KLOSTERMAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM:
In 1997, Travis christened one of its most moving additions: an outdoor classroom funded
by the Mary Jo Klosterman Memorial Fund. Mary Jo, an active parent who was killed in a
plane crash in 1994, exemplified the best in the Travis educational community. The outdoor
classroom, designed by noted landscape designer and parent, Scott
Slaney, is a
nautilus-shaped amphitheater integrated into the garden. Installed with the hard work of
parents, students and Travis staff, the outdoor classroom accommodates 5 classes and is
used for cross-grade activities, speakers, drama activities and other functions.
Informally, it serves as a gathering place for parents and students before and after
school.
SPARKS PARK:
Travis' school/city park, with its unusual dinosaur play space, was created by Travis
students and sculptor, Paul Kittleson. Activities during the school day involve physical
development on the track, hardtop, and playground apparatus. The Kindergarten classes hold
outdoor learning centers in the primary area twice a month. On weekends and weekday
evenings the park is available to the community and provides a place for healthy,
worthwhile activities. |
GARDEN-OUTDOOR
SCIENCE CENTER:
The Travis Garden serves year round as an outdoor learning laboratory in science. Students
have hands-on experience with nature as they plant seeds of their choosing twice a year.
They nurture their seeds by weeding and watering until harvest time. Salads, soups, berry
desserts and cotton cloth are the products of their planting.
Colorful flowers were planted to attract butterflies and bees. Fruit trees were planted to
attract birds for bird watching. Parents built a greenhouse for gardening activities.
Parents, teachers and children especially interested in gardening belong to a
Garden Club which meets on Fridays to build beds, borders, bogs, waterfalls, fountains and
perform general upkeep activities. ![](http://traviselementary.org//images/jasgrrlsunflower.gif)
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