The new outdoor classroom at Kalona Elementary is not yet up and running, though according to principal Robin Foster it’s getting closer by the day. Foster said Tim Grout donated some of his time to clean out the back of the elementary around the classroom. That included cleaning up overgrown planters and trimming trees. Foster was thankful for his efforts in getting the landscape more presentable before the classes have access to it.

Additionally, they’re tying up loose ends regarding the electricity to the classroom, and Foster is hopeful it will be ready for use before the first snow of the year. The outdoor classroom was funded in part by an $8,500 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. It will feature benches that can turn into desks, a white board, and a projector.