The Outdoor Campus

There is a new way of schooling here in the desert, at least new to us. And it's BRILLIANT - in a fair-weather climate. The schools are K-8, and each "cluster" of grades is in a different building - even different teachers of the same grade are in buildings across the "promenade" from each other." So the kids, when changing classes, go OUTSIDE under shaded "ramadas" to their next class.

That means: they see the SUN! They have fewer germ transfers (YAY!) than being couped up in halls, they get to breathe in some fresh air every hour, they even have outdoor seating for lunch! All-school assemblies are done on the "big court" outside.

Before school, when they enter "the gates" they can run freely on the campus playground or sit in the promenades and read until the bell rings. After school, same concept until retrieved by parents.

This was such a bizarre concept when we arrived. But after a couple of weeks, I can see how much the kids love it - and how beneficial it is for them to see the sky, the sun, and feel that warmth on their skin throughout the day. Yep, I'm an innate desert dweller. Who knew?!