The Donna Independent School District celebrated the grand opening of its first Outdoor Learning Center at A.M. Ochoa Elementary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Nov. 4th. District administrators, staff, board members, and representatives from Hellas Construction attended the event to unveil the new space, which was made possible through the passage of the 2023 school bond.
The Outdoor Learning Center, the first of several planned for elementary campuses district-wide, is designed to spark curiosity, support hands-on learning, and develop essential life skills. It features a carefully crafted turf seating area, Rock Blocks climbing tunnel, interactive panels, a shaded bridge structure with an integrated telescope, and musical and sound components. Following the ribbon-cutting, Pre-K and kindergarten students joined the festivities and were among the first to explore the new learning space, enthusiastically engaging with its unique, hands-on features.
"This is a very exciting day for Donna ISD," Superintendent Dr. Angela Dominguez said. "With the support of our community and board, we're able to bring this first bond project to life for our students. Outdoor learning spaces like this one offer our early childhood learners invaluable opportunities to engage with the natural world, fostering sensory and motor skill development as they play, explore, and learn together. We are so appreciative of our community for passing this bond. Thanks to their support, we are on track to bring outdoor learning centers to all our elementary campuses."
Ochoa Elementary Principal Alfonso Sayavedra also expressed his enthusiasm for the new outdoor learning space.
"This is truly an amazing addition for our students and teachers," Sayavedra said. "Thanks to our board members, who continuously inspire our students, we now have another tool to engage young minds in creative ways. This space adds an exciting new dimension to our teaching and learning."
Santos Verdin, Regional Vice President of Hellas Construction, reflected on the project’s significance, drawing from his own experiences.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of something like this,” Verdin shared. “Having attended elementary school 30 years ago, I know we didn’t have anything like this. I can only imagine how impactful this space will be for today’s students. Thirty years from now, they’ll look back with gratitude for the opportunities Donna ISD has provided. This project truly demonstrates the district’s commitment to its students, and I’m proud to be a partner in this journey.”
Dr. Dominguez emphasized the broader impact these Outdoor Learning Centers will have across the district.
"The bond project is just getting started," Dr. Dominguez said. "We're thrilled to see this first center open, with additional outdoor learning spaces scheduled to follow soon. It's fulfillilng to see what began as a vision a year and a half ago now take shape and positively impact our students. As our youngest learners engage in outdoor play, develop fine motor skills, and build language skills, they are growing into well-rounded children. This center represents an investment in their future."
Dr. Dominguez pointed out that the new Outdoor Learning Center exemplifies Donna ISD's commitment to enhancing student learning through thoughtful strategic planning and strong community support. She emphasized that this innovative space aligns with the district's mission to provide students with holistic educational experiences that nurture both personal and academic growth, reflecting the district's dedication to preparing well-rounded, lifelong learners.
