Glacial Hills Elementary School Fund

The Glacial Hills Elementary School Fund supports the vision and mission of Glacial Hills Elementary School #4168 Starbuck, MN, and furthers the education of the Glacial Hills Elementary School graduates through scholarships.

The Eagles Nest project entails empowering our 3rd-6th grade students to design an outdoor learning center for our school after interviewing and collaborating with our PreK – 2nd grade students. We are excited to use this project to expand our sense of community internally and externally with the city of Starbuck. This project will involve all of our students in preschool through 6th grade which is 106 students. We will also involve community partners and volunteers. We are especially excited to include our neighbors at Holly Ridge Manor Assisted Living who will help bring this vision to life. In fact, they have gifted us the land to build this outdoor learning center! We will also use this space to host future intergenerational horticulture lessons. Additionally, this project not only gives back to our school, but illustrates the innovativeness of our programming which helps illuminate the vitality of our community – Strong schools build strong communities.

The Eagles Nest project will combine Project Based Learning (PBL) and Environmental education for a school-wide project that seamlessly integrates the 5 competencies of social emotional learning as defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL). The wellbeing of our students and families relies on positive experiences and learning opportunities. Through this project we will emphasize the following SEL competencies: Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills and Responsible Decision Making.

Timeline :
The Eagles Nest project will begin working on the intended SEL outcomes by following the timeline outlined here:
Spring 2023 – The school will identify community partners and funding sources.
Summer 2023 – 3rd through 6th grade teachers meet and develop a schedule and project overview for students. Teachers will align activities to state standards and SEL competencies and create necessary handouts, assessments, etc.
Fall 2023 – 3rd through 6th grade students will design, create and present proposals of the Eagles Nest. During this process, they will interview and work with preschool through 2nd grade students and the elderly to guide their design process. Additionally, students will be required to learn about native plants and grasses that will thrive in this space. Students will conduct their own research and use resources from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Pope County Water and Soil to select which plants will prosper in this space and add to the ecosystem of our outdoor classroom space! The school community will vote on their favorite design and bring it to life. Students will call or visit the community partners to ask for funding
Fall 2023-Spring/Summer 2024 – Students, community volunteers and staff will build, clean up and maintain the grounds of the outdoor learning center.