MORE THAN A MASK
A SUCCESSFUL YEAR
AT TATNALL
Despite COVID Restrictions
A
s the COVID-19 pandemic continued throughout the 2020-2021 school year, the challenges of mask requirements, social distancing and safety precautions proved no match for The Tatnall School. Thanks to some out-of-thebox thinking, a tremendous amount of planning, and the dedication of the administration, faculty, staff, parents and students, Tatnall was able to provide an exceptional year of learning under extraordinary circumstances. The 110-acre Tatnall campus and surrounding habitats became both classroom and lunchroom for students throughout the year. Early Childhood took advantage of its newly awarded Outdoor Classroom certification to offer developmentally appropriate, safe outside learning opportunities for its students. The reimagined “I Love to Read Month” curriculum brought new experiences for Lower School students who also found creative new ways to play. And a varied schedule allowed Tatnall to provide a full-year of in-person learning for Middle and Upper School students. Early Childhood Receives 1st Outdoor Classroom Certification in New Castle County Outdoor learning and play are integral parts of Early Childhood at The Tatnall School. In 2003 the Early Childhood Habitat was certified by the National Wildlife Federation and in April 2021, Tatnall’s Early Childhood Outdoor Classroom received certification from the Nature Explore program – the first of its kind to be certified in New Castle County and only the second in the state! PK4 students examine a tadpole at the pond in the EC Certified Wildlife Habitat.
“EC Science Teacher Amanda Peltz attended the Nature Explore professional development in the summer of 2019. We started the certification process shortly thereafter, in
14 :: TATNALL TODAY :: SUMMER 2021
hopes of meeting the requirements by the following spring. Then COVID hit and our plans were halted,” says Aimee Neff, Head of Early Childhood. “Once we returned to campus, we took up where we left off and were thrilled to receive certification this year.” Outdoor classrooms offer interactive spaces where children can use their creativity, imagination and problem-solving skills in an unconstrained environment, helping them develop skills across a broad spectrum of areas. Various equipment, materials and signage criteria must be met to be recognized as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom. “Our outdoor space was outstanding to begin with, so we started by identifying areas of our existing space that could be modified to meet requirements for certification,” shares Neff. “Extending our classrooms to these outdoor spaces is simply amazing. Children benefit immensely from spending extended periods of time outside. They’re not only learning about nature, but also learning math, writing, science, and art through natural pieces of the world. They build gross and fine motor skills, and it encourages critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration.” Tatnall’s outdoor classrooms include an art studio, melody meadow, climbing area and mud kitchen. While Early Childhood students have always spent a good part of their day outside, the outdoor classrooms were a silver-lining during COVID. “Our kids were outside at least three times every day in almost every weather condition,” continues Neff. “They actually spent more hours outside than inside this past year.” “Early on in the year, when COVID regulations were the most restrictive, our students weren’t allowed to play on the
