The Learning Lab, generously donated by the Sawin Fund for the endowment’s sesquicentennial anniversary, will serve as a year-round learning space, aimed at supporting the K-5 Life Science curriculums. It will house resources that enrich student learning across all grades, while providing storage for teaching and gardening tools. The lab will feature an off-grid solar system, both to power the lab and also teach students about renewable energy.

The Outdoor Classroom will provide a space for classes to learn outdoors, whether connecting with nature directly, or simply enjoying a multi-sensory area to stimulate whole body learning. The classroom will have flexible seating, composed of eight fully-recycled benches, engraved with the Promise word for each grade-level. Classroom benches can easily be moved around to accommodate the needs of a class or group. The overhead pergola has a manual shade that can be extended to offer protection, and then easily retracted when done. The central location of the classroom makes it easy for classes to transition to and from the space, while also being accessible to parents and community members.

The garden will consist of native landscape plantings and adaptable raised-beds, allowing classrooms to enjoy hands-on exploration of Life Science curriculums. The beds will be made from fully recycled #2 plastic timbers and will never rot or splinter, while keepings hundreds of pounds of plastic out of landfills. The use of native plants in the landscape beds will support wildlife and allow students to study plant and animal adaptations, core concepts throughout our Life Science curriculum.

To support our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, the garden incorporates spaces for mindful reflection or conversation, allows for quiet play during recess, and incorporates a sensory path, for both fun and sensory integration. Benches around the garden can be donated in honor of retiring teachers and staff.

View the PH Promise Sculpture

As part of a collaboration with local sculpture artist Alexis Antoniadis, the focal point of the garden will be the (soon) rainbow-colored PH Promise Sculpture. Standing roughly 6 feet tall, the sculpture features a child, adolescent, and adult, intertwined and supporting each other, representing “strength through community and the ability to affect change”. The representation embodies the culmination of the PH Promise- through intrapersonal growth and core community values, together we grow healthy, happy children and strong communities. Students can “wish” on the sculpture, by tracing their hand down a curve, reassured our community is there to support them in their hopes and dreams.

In partnership with Sherborn’s sustainability initiatives, as well as the district's Sustainability Task Force, the garden and outdoor classroom will serve as a venue to teach and model core concepts of sustainability to educate our children about adaptation and mitigation strategies for a changing climate. Examples of these concepts are: 1) preparing for shifting precipitation patterns and extreme temperatures (rain barrels, native plants); 2) the importance of biodiversity for healthy, resilient ecosystems and nature-based solutions (native plants, ecological gardening techniques); 3) the need for clean, renewable energy (off-grid solar panels); 4) the importance of protecting the quantity and quality of our ground and surface water (rain barrels, ecological gardening techniques); and 5) reducing waste by developing circular economies (composting, recycled plastic benches, recycled gravel path).

Please join the CSA and larger Sherborn community in bringing this project to fruition. Families are invited to donate towards classroom benches, raised bed gardens, trees & perennials, and retirement benches. Any amount is welcome and appreciated. This is a unique opportunity to leave a legacy for generations to come. Classes interested in making a donation in recognition of a teacher or teaching team, can request an acknowledgment card to notify the teacher of the honorary donation.

Checks may be made payable to CSA and mailed to Pine Hill CSA, P.O. Box 51, Sherborn, MA 01770. The CSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax deductible.

We also encourage you to check if your employer participates in gift matching, doubling your contribution! On behalf of the CSA board, we greatly appreciate your generosity.

Thank you for your generous support!