School Forest proposed for Tower-Soudan Elementary!

Tower-Soudan School Principal John Jirik dropped a bombshell proposal at the Independent School District 2142 Board meeting held in Tower Tuesday evening—a school forest.

Essentially, a school forest is an outdoor classroom. Students learn and apply math, art, science, language arts, and social studies while gaining an appreciation and awareness of natural resources.

Mr. Jirik’s concise report was met with enthusiasm from Board members, many of whom cheered it as a golden opportunity to give the kids time outside during the learning process.

The proposal for the project is at the drawing board stage. “It’s a work in progress,” said Mr. Jirik. “We’re touring the land and working with the DNR. We’ll still have to bring it before the City Council, Joint Powers, and so forth.”

The exact acreage of the school forest, which would be located north of the school, has not yet been established, but early estimates are that it will be at least a 30-acre parcel.