Clintonville Elementary Breaks Ground on New Outdoor Classroom
Excitement is in the air at Clintonville Elementary School as the Clintonville Public School District officially broke ground on a brand-new outdoor classroom this week.
What began two years ago as a modest Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) fundraiser for playground equipment has blossomed into a full-scale educational space that will benefit students and the community alike.
We originally set out to raise just a few hundred dollars for sports equipment by selling beef sticks, but the fundraiser far exceeded our expectations.
Encouraged by the community’s support, the PTO decided to dream bigger. The group set its sights on creating an outdoor classroom — a place where students and teachers could learn outside during the school year and where the community could gather during the summer.
Affectionately nicknamed the “Hickory Hut,” after the PTO’s best-selling beef stick flavor, the project’s first estimate came in at around $12,000. As plans developed, it became clear that a larger design would better serve the needs of students and staff.
In March 2025, the PTO contributed $15,000 to the district to kickstart the project. However, that still wasn’t enough to bring the full vision to life. That’s when the community stepped in once again.
We reached out for help and the response was incredible. We received an anonymous $15,000 donation, along with generous contributions from local businesses and community members.
Thanks to this outpouring of support, the dream of an outdoor classroom is now becoming a reality. Construction is underway, and excitement is growing among both students and staff.
The elementary staff and students are thrilled to have this new space. It will allow us to provide even more hands-on, engaging experiences for our students all while enjoying the great outdoors.
Pictured are the students who had the top sales for the PTO beef sticks fundraiser.