Environmental Art Installations

The Level Two students visited an often over-looked section of Ash Street Field to create sculptures with natural materials.  After studying about Andy Goldsworthy in art, the students had an opportunity to create their own art installations using non-native species and other found, natural objects. 

Salmon Release

A Taste of Forest Grove

Level One visited restaurants in downtown Forest Grove this week to continue their study of food and culture!

Waste Management

Level Two classes visited the Waste Management transfer center in Forest Grove this week to learn about what happens to their trash and recycling!  The students had lots of questions for our guide, Dave, and and were surprised to learn that tons of garbage leave Forest Grove for the landfill everyday.  Throughout the rest of the unit, the classrooms will be studying consumerism and the ways they can influence the amount of trash that goes to our landfills.

Grande Foods

Level One visited Grande Foods in Cornelius with their classes last week. Tom Evans, the owner, told them about the creation of the store and took them on a behind-the-scenes tour! After the tour, the students got to try some fresh pastries and hot chocolate!

Local Government

The Merlins and Peregrine Falcons visited Forest Grove City Hall and met with Mayor Kidd. He spoke about the responsibilities of city council and the other local offices. The students asked lots of questions and got to see the mayor's office!

B Street Farm

Last week, the Level 1 classes visited B Street Farm

We checked out the rabbits and learned how the farm can use the fur.

This is the sod house that will soon hold a composting toilet!

The students got to pass around a fresh, warm chicken egg.

After the tour, we helped removes some non-native plants from the farm property and fed them to the goats!

One of the farmers showed us how they milk the goat

Duyck's Peachy Pig Farm

Ash Street Field

This week, the Level One classes enjoyed the sun and warm weather at Ash Street Field.  On Monday, the Tree Swallows introduced me to the area and the work they did there last year.  The Violet Green Swallows had their first trip to the field on Tuesday and spent the afternoon exploring!  The students shared their wondering questions and the topics they hope to learn more about throughout the year.  The Barn Swallows had high hopes for finding some worms on Wednesday!  Unfortunately, the rain had not arrived yet and the soil was too dry for worms.  The students searched for other insects instead and found some big spiders!

Upcoming Out and Abouts include farm and grocery store trips for Level One and tours of local government for Level Two.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Out and About blog for the Level 1 and Level 2 classes at Forest Grove Community School!  My name is Laura Harley and I will be working with the classroom teachers this year to coordinate Out and Abouts.  I hope to update the blog each week with photos and reports for our adventures in the community.  Please feel free to email me at l.harley@fgcschool.org with any questions or to volunteer!

I am a Northwest Service Academy AmeriCorps member and I will complete 1700 hours of service this year at the school and through other local programs.  I recently moved to Forest Grove from Michigan, where I grew up and went to school.  I have degrees in History and Education and I enjoying hiking, climbing, canoeing and skiing.  Below are some photos from a trip I led this summer to the Wind River Range in Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park!