,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #diic ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #bh1 #bjbb ,mr4 ,heinrich introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,secretary of ,education to award grants for outdoor learning spaces and to develop living schoolyards4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,living ,schoolyards ,act of #bjbb4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,city planning and urban development often disconnect communities from natural systems1 such as forests1 waterways1 and wildlife habitats4 ,existing green spaces in our cities are not evenly distributed and the presence of neighborhood parks and nature-rich school grounds are strongly correlated with income in most cities across the ,united ,states4 ,this means that communities with the fewest resources usually also have the least access to nature in their neighborhoods and on their school grounds4 7#b7 ,environmental sustainability has become a high priority in planning and design and should be incorporated in construction and renovation of schools across urban1 suburban1 and rural districts4 7#c7 ,school districts are #a of the largest land managers in almost every city and town in the ,united ,states4 ,the choices schools and districts make about how they manage their land directly impacts students' daily experiences1 mental and physical health1 and learning outcomes4 ,schools can benefit their students1 educators1 and surrounding communities through thoughtful design and use of their grounds1 paying mind to local ecological1 social1 and cultural context4 7#d7 ,on-campus green space designs have environmental and ecological resilience benefits1 such as stormwater management1 rainwater collection1 carbon and runoff sequestration1 air quality improvement1 wildlife habitat restoration1 and ecological resiliency4 7#e7 ,the amount of time the average ,american child spends outdoors and distance traveled from the home unsupervised are in constant decline4 7#f7 ,adding green spaces to schoolyards has been linked to persistent changes in recess behavior1 including increased physical activity and social collaboration4 7#g7 ,children spend a significant portion of their day on their school campuses1 amounting to at least #hdj instructional hours per year from grades #a to #c1 inclusive1 and up to #a1jhj hours for grades #i to #ab1 inclusive4 7#h7 ,removing pavement and adding shade trees in places that are accessible to children and youth during the school day directly protects children from high temperatures and reduces urban heat islands in the surrounding community1 while also making school grounds more comfortable for both children and adults4 7#i7 ,an ecological schoolyard with trees and other plantings provides a peaceful1 comfortable1 and aesthetically pleasant environment for students1 particularly for those students who lack the desire or ability to engage in competitive1 fast-paced1 or more structured activities4 ,this has been shown to improve mental health and the ability to pay attention for both children and adults4 ,the presence of trees on school grounds is associated with higher academic achievement for students4 7#aj7 ,ecological schoolyards provide a diverse1 engaging1 multi-faceted play and social environment that encourages collaborative and cooperative play and social interaction1 reducing the aggression and bullying that occurs on traditional playgrounds4 7#aa7 ,an on-campus green space1 such as a school garden1 is a fundamental component of a school environment intended to include and empower students1 giving them a sense of place and community4 7#ab7 ,schools are devoted to nurturing each child's physical1 cognitive1 social1 and emotional development and ability to assess challenging situations and make intelligent choices4 7#ac7 ,children should be given the opportunity to reflect and embrace their local ecological1 social1 and cultural context in both recreational and instructional settings4 7#ad7 ,outdoor learning spaces provide clearer context and hands-on teaching resources for standards-based instruction in life and physical sciences1 health and nutrition1 social science1 mathematics1 reading and creative writing1 visual and performing art1 and other subject areas4 7#ae7 ,outdoor activity is essential to learning1 health1 and the overall quality of student life4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,elementary school ,the term elementary school means a public institutional day or residential school1 including a public elementary charter school1 that provides elementary education1 as determined under ,state law4 7#b7 ,living schoolyard ,the term living schoolyard-- 7,a7 means a park-like outdoor environment at an elementary school or secondary school that strengthens local ecological systems1 provides hands-on learning resources1 and fosters a wide range of play and social opportunities while enhancing health and well-being of children and adults2 and 7,b7 may include trees1 gardens1 outdoor meeting areas1 and other elements designed by1 and for1 the students and the surrounding community4 7#c7 ,local educational agency ,the term local educational agency has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#d7 ,outdoor learning space ,the term outdoor learning space means an outdoor physical space on school grounds that is-- 7,a7 dedicated to meet or conduct curriculum-tied activities2 7,b7 a dedicated space for outdoor classrooms that has seating and tables installed for students and teachers to meet regularly2 or 7,c7 a place that is used when the need arises to take learning outdoors4 7#e7 ,secondary school ,the term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 #d4 ,grant program for outdoor learning spaces 7a7 ,authorization of program 7#a7 ,reservation for ,,bie ,from the amount appropriated under subsection 7d7 to carry out this section for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reserve #e percent for the ,secretary of the ,interior to carry out this section for schools operated by the ,bureau of ,indian ,education or schools that are operated by an ,indian tribe1 or an organization controlled or sanctioned by an ,indian tribal government1 for the children of that tribe under a contract with1 or grant from1 the ,department of the ,interior under the ,indian ,self-,determination ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecba et seq47 or the ,tribally ,controlled ,schools ,act of #aihh 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #beja et seq474 7#b7 ,authorization ,the ,secretary shall award grants to local educational agencies to enable the local educational agencies to develop outdoor learning spaces4 7#c7 ,grant amounts ,a grant awarded under this section shall be in an amount equal to not less than #aj1jjj and not more than #ej1jjj for each school to be served by the local educational agency with the grant4 7b7 ,applications 7#a7 ,in general ,a local educational agency that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,secretary may require1 including the following3 7,a7 ,an identification of each elementary school and secondary school served by the local educational agency that will receive assistance with grant funding provided under this section4 7,b7 ,the timeframe needed to prepare outdoor learning spaces and the timeframe to begin using outdoor learning spaces4 7,c7 ,the percentage of students the local educational agency serves who are eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq474 7,d7 ,the projected number of schools that would participate in the outdoor learning spaces4 7,e7 ,the projected number of students and staff that would participate in the outdoor learning spaces on a daily basis4 7,f7 ,a description of how the local educational agency will assist students and staff that may need inclement weather clothing to participate in the outdoor learning spaces4 7#b7 ,partnership ,a local educational agency may submit an application under paragraph 7#a7 in partnership with a nonprofit organization that has expertise in outdoor learning spaces or outdoor education4 7c7 ,use of funds ,a local educational agency that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to develop outdoor learning spaces4 ,such outdoor learning spaces shall comply with at least #a of the following3 7#a7 ,the installation of canopies1 tents1 or similar structures that maximize air flow while providing shade and rain protection1 including1 if walls are included1 any accommodations for reducing ,,covid-#ai virus transmission recommended by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention or local public health authorities4 7#b7 ,the installation of open sided permanent outdoor structures1 with or without large retractable doors4 7#c7 ,the installation of electricity and outlets or portable generators that benefits student learning4 7#d7 ,the installation of outdoor furniture1 such as seating and tables or work surfaces1 for staff and students4 7#e7 ,the availability of storage for outdoor teaching materials or wagons or carts for each teacher to transport supplies to and from the outdoor learning spaces4 7#f7 ,the installation of outdoor wifi nodes1 and potable charging stations4 7#g7 ,the installation of outdoor food service facilities for serving1 eating1 and waste management4 7#h7 ,the installation of school garden infrastructure and plantings1 such as raised garden beds1 potting soil1 hoses1 and installation of native1 low water1 and food-producing plants that may help block the wind or provide shade4 7#i7 ,the installation or planting of shade trees1 positioned on school grounds where students can access them during the school day4 ,planting locations for shade trees shall be selected to improve the thermal comfort of outdoor learning spaces4 7#aj7 ,removal of asphalt1 concrete1 or pavement1 and soil conditioning4 7#aa7 ,the availability of weather related clothing and footwear4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbg4 #e4 ,living schoolyard projects 7a7 ,planning grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award planning grants to local educational agencies to enable the agencies to develop master plans to turn some or all of the outdoor spaces of the elementary schools and secondary schools served by the agencies into living schoolyards4 7#b7 ,applications ,a local educational agency that desires to receive a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,secretary may require1 including the following3 7,a7 ,an outline for1 that includes the scope of1 the master plan described in paragraph 7#c74 7,b7 ,a plan for educator training and professional development in order to train teachers in utilizing the living schoolyard4 7,c7 ,identification of ,state learning standards that may be addressed through student involvement in the living schoolyard4 7#c7 ,master plan 7,a7 ,in general ,a local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to develop a master plan to turn some or all of the outdoor spaces of the elementary schools and secondary schools served by the agency into living schoolyards4 ,such master plan shall-- 7i7 be developed with community input2 7ii7 be developed with the goal of longevity and resilience of living schoolyards after the grant period under this subsection and subsection 7b7 has expired2 and 7iii7 include-- 7,i7 ecological goals2 7,,ii7 education and health goals2 7,,iii7 the number of students to be served at each school served under the grant1 the total size of each such school property in acres1 and the size of the proposed living schoolyard at each site in acres2 7,,iv7 a master plan drawing of the living schoolyard design proposed for each school served under the grant2 7,v7 an identification of community partners1 including nonprofit organizations that have expertise in outdoor learning spaces or outdoor education1 if applicable2 and 7,,vi7 a longevity plan for how the local educational agency proposes to maintain the living schoolyards over time4 7,b7 ,components of a living schoolyard ,the master plan developed under subparagraph 7,a7 may include the following designs for the living schoolyard3 7i7 ,growing food1 planting pollinator plants1 and creating habitat for wildlife4 7ii7 ,conserving water and observing things in nature4 7iii7 ,drawing objects found in nature1 documenting season's change1 and temperatures4 7iv7 ,conducting experiments regarding soil1 wind1 water1 and other elements4 7v7 ,using the arts to prepare skits1 plays1 murals1 drawings1 and sculptures that celebrate nature1 including its animals1 plants1 patterns1 and behaviors4 7vi7 ,displaying items found and celebrated1 including leaves1 seeds1 cones1 fruits1 bones1 and other items4 7vii7 ,planting shade trees1 which-- 7,i7 directly protect students from the effects of extreme heat due to climate change2 and 7,,ii7 cast shade on adjacent classroom windows in the school building to help reduce temperatures indoors and save cooling costs during the warmest parts of the school year4 7b7 ,implementation grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award implementation grants to local educational agencies that received a planning grant under subsection 7a7 and developed a master plan in accordance with subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,applications ,a local educational agency that desires to receive a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,secretary may require4 ,a local educational agency may apply for more than #a grant in order to complete individual schools in separate phases4 7#c7 ,use of funds 7,a7 ,in general ,a local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to carry out the master plan developed in accordance with subsection 7a7 by turning some or all of the outdoor spaces of the elementary schools and secondary schools served by the agency into living schoolyards4 7,b7 ,permissible uses ,a local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant funds-- 7i7 for professional development for school leadership1 educators1 and paraprofessionals2 and 7ii7 to support an educator or ancillary staff member to maintain the living schoolyards of the elementary schools and secondary schools served by the agency and provide professional development described in clause 7i74 7#d7 ,match 7,a7 ,in general ,a local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection shall provide matching funds in an amount equal to #bj percent of the grant award4 7,b7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary may waive the matching requirement under subparagraph 7,a7 for local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection and serves students not less than #dj percent of whom are eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq474 7#e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbg4 #f4 ,clearinghouse ,the ,secretary shall maintain a clearinghouse of information that-- 7#a7 provides examples of outdoor learning spaces1 including successful models being used2 7#b7 includes input from nonprofit organizations with expertise in outdoor learning spaces and environmental education2 and 7#c7 provides links and information about ,state and local entities with expertise in outdoor learning spaces and environmental education4