What the Children Have To Say About Their School Green Roof Classroom
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The conclusion of the 2020 - 2021 school year could not have come fast enough for administrators, teachers, and parents all exhausted from Herculean efforts to educate children during the pandemic. The nature and extent of the long-term educational and emotional toll on students due to COVID-19 disruptions continues to be a serious concern. However, one positive outcome of this past school year was the growing national movement to get students into the fresh air and use the outdoors as a living classroom.
Students engaged in educational play on P.S. 41’s green roof in New York City. Photo courtesy Vicki Sando.
Like a game of Tetris, the administrative team at P.S. 41--The Greenwich Village School, in New York City--reconfigured classrooms and utilized all available outdoor space to comply with New York City’s Department of Education COVID-19 social distancing regulations. More than ever, teachers reserved time on the school's extensive green roof and the lower-level playground. The opportunity for children (and their teachers) to leave the confines of their classroom, burn off some energy, de-stress, and get outside was a daily blessing. Throughout the day, teachers used the green roof for literacy, scientific observations, art, movement, community building, and mindfulness activities.
An anonymous, informal green roof survey completed in June 2021 by 160 first through fifth-grade students gives voice to the attitudes of the children towards the green roof. The survey demonstrates the green roof's valuable emotional, social, and educational benefits, even compared to the lower-level playground. One open question, How do you feel on the green roof? consistently tallied the uplifting keywords "happy," "calm," "peaceful," and "relaxed." The students clearly enjoyed being elevated and surrounded by plants: "like you are on top of a big mountain" and "like I'm riding a hang glider when I look up" or "like I'm floating on a cloud."
Another query posed was, Do you feel the same or different on the green roof compared to the playground? Students overwhelmingly distinguished between the two outdoor spaces; they preferred to relax among the plants on the green roof and to let loose in the playground. One responder remarked, "I feel different because the green roof offers more of a place to chill. The playground is a place to run and be physical." The survey found that while some students opted for sports activities on the playground, other students favored the green roof: "I enjoy the green roof more than the playground because it is more relaxing observing the plants. The playground has too much going on for me."
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What is your favorite thing to do on the green roof? was evenly split between movement activities or observing plants and insects. "[I like to] play, freeze tag and walk around" contrasted with "I like seeing the green roof grow. The plants look beautiful, and I love just staring at them." And while face coverings were still required outside, one student remarked that they liked "to sunbathe with my mask over my eyes."
The thoughts of one student at P.S. 41. Photo Courtesy Vicki Sando
A number of teachers also provided feedback to a supplemental green roof teacher's survey. One question asked was, Why did you sign up for the green roof instead of the lower-level outdoor spaces? A teacher responded, "We wanted the students to get another view of the school and city. We also had a bunch of students ask to revisit since the younger grades seem to go more often." Another teacher replied, "Since the kids do not have their regular recess, it was a great way to get them outside. Plus, it's beautiful and peaceful up there!"
Another open question was, In general, how do your students feel emotionally on or after leaving the green roof? Responses varied from "Great" to "They loved it!" and "I think they enjoy being up there and socializing with peers. They love studying the plants and observing their communities from a different angle."
Equally important was gauging teacher's emotional reactions on the green roof, so they were asked, How do you physically/emotionally feel on the green roof compared to the lower-level school grounds? "Responses ranged from "the same" and "all outside time felt special and stabilizing this year" to "calm," "I like being on the roof because I can get some sun and fresh air," and "the plants are relaxing to my eyes."
Besides the environmental and educational benefits, green roofs can offer vital safe and secure outdoor space for teachers and students to unwind and de-stress throughout the school day. The need is especially imperative in urban schools where access to quality green space is often very limited.
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Children play on the P.S. 41 green roof. Photo Courtesy Vicki Sando
A recent study by British researchers concluded, "Children and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and most likely anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends. This may increase as enforced isolation continues." Allocating substantial government funding for children's emotional and academic needs is essential, or entrenched equity issues in education and mental health access will persist.
As schools prepare for the upcoming 2021- 2022 school year and the effects of COVID-19 remain, it is very important to provide outdoor space and opportunities to address students' physical, emotional, and educational needs. Outdoor classrooms on school rooftops are a living laboratory conducive to instruction in many subjects in a tranquil teaching environment. Green roofs on school facilities will also offer an oasis for students and staff still grappling with the trauma of a consequential school year.
Please consider helping to advocate for The Public School Green Rooftop Program Bill (H.R. 1863) by sending a letter to your local congressional legislator and join the movement to put green roofs on the nation’s schools. Visit Green Roofs for Healthy Cities’ Advocacy Center for more information.
Vicki Sando is an educational green roof consultant, Green STEM curriculum developer, educator, and author. Visit vickisando.com & educationalgreenroofs.org for more information.
