Learning Garden

Outdoor Nature Classroom

The St. Thomas More Learning Garden is a special place for our school community to enjoy. It is an outdoor classroom years in the making–and an extension of our indoor spaces where students can explore, create and connect with God’s creation.

This nature-based area is thoughtfully designed to engage students in meaningful learning through music, movement, science, prayer and play. The Outdoor Nature Classroom allows for soil observation and sensory walls to quiet reading areas and stations symbolizing the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. The garden is a place where you can see students wonder and grow, as they’re given space to think and reflect.

Take a walk through the garden

As the children enter the gate to the nature classroom, they are greeted by a “Jesus Loves the Little Children” garden statue (a gift from our 2021 8th graders!) There is a perennial flower garden surrounding this statue, and a path where teachers and their students will have the opportunity to visit stations displaying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. There are many hands-on opportunities to engage children both mentally and physically.

The Garden Includes

Music station Earth loom for weaving natural materials Soil observation and magnifying glass stations Balancing beams Quiet reading area	A water trough system Stepping stumps Raised, wheelchair accessible vegetable beds Bird Feeders and bird bath An oversized abacus	Insect hotel Worm composting towers Sensory wall Composting bin Tables and benches for children of all ages to work and learn

Conservation and Lasting Impacts

The garden flora is made up primarily of plants that are native to the Great Plains region. This focus on local plants is being done to support our local insect and wildlife community. Our garden is used to teach conservation lessons. A group has been formed to focus on developing a recycling and composting program within our school that goes hand in hand with our Learning Garden! We hope that our children’s experiences in the learning garden will inspire a lifelong appreciation and love for the natural world.

Costs and Installation

The Learning Garden is sustained entirely through grants and charitable contributions. Your support enables us to expand and enhance this valuable educational space.

For sponsorship opportunities or additional information, please contact Principal Gary Davis STM Principal at gdavis@omahacsc.org. In addition to financial support, we need people power!

If you have a green thumb or are interested in helping construct or install any part of the garden, please reach out to Principal Gary Davis for current needs and scheduling details.