HARTFORD — Central Middle School hosted a special groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of their new Wildcat Outdoor Classroom.
According to ELA and social studies teacher Zara Radtke, the classroom is being built in honor of the late assistant principal Andrea Rose, who passed away last year. Radtke said this service brought members of the community together to honor two visions that Rose held. First, she believed that one of the best ways to serve the students was to allow them a better place to explore the natural world around them. Second, she felt that having more opportunities for physical fitness during their free time at recess would enrich the students and help with behavioral issues.
In addition to the outdoor classroom, improvements to the recreational space behind the school were also planned to be undertaken as well, including new basketball backboards, a volleyball court and a gaga ball pit.
"We are so happy to announce that both of these dreams are close to being realized for our students at Central Middle School," said Radtke. "We believe that these two projects combine the dreams and hopes that Andrea held as well as showing her love and commitment to present and future students of Central Middle School."
Central Middle School Principal Lori Rugotska said the classroom will be a deck to allow students to learn and play in an outdoor setting just off the southeast corner of the building, overlooking the Wildcat Habitat preserve. The materials for the classroom were donated by East Side Lumber and will be assembled by the Hartford Union High School VISION House program students.
“Anyone who knew Andrea could attest to her sunny personality. She was passionate about the students she served and would be thrilled with the changes to our outdoor space,” said Rugotska. “The space will provide students with the opportunity to explore, to learn and engage with nature along with a space to play.”
According to VISION house program director Mark Murphy, the hope is to have the classroom completed by the end of the 2023-24 school year, but no definitive completion date has been determined.
