Channahon School District Garners Local Honor

During the last school year,  partnered with staff at the in Channahon to create a nature-centered curriculum. Last week, Forest Preserve of Will County officials recognized that partnership by awarding the school district for its role in creating the educational programs.

Students at the schools participated in programs and offered suggestions to the staff at Four Rivers.

"They actually gave us feedback, and we changed the program," Jessica Prince, who is in charge of public programs and education at the forest preserve.

The programs students at District 17 helped to sculpt are now open to other schools.

"It's open now, and students can sign up in April," Prince said.

The partnership was invaluable to District 17 as well.

"Our students were the first students to reap the benefits," District 17 Supt. Karin Evans said. "They were able to actually be scientific researchers; they were in the water up and down and in the trails."

Students also incorporated history into their outdoor studies, role playing what life was like along the trail. From a science perspective, though, the most important thing students gained from having access to a nature program in Channahon is the ability to study native species.

"One thing we heard in our interviews is that they wanted that local connection," Prince said of teacher feedback. "We tried to cater it to fifth-grade curriculum."