SARASOTA, FL – As part of an effort that perfectly highlights Hershorin Schiff Community Day School’s project-based, hands-on learning philosophy, students in seventh and eighth grades have built a new chicken coop for its four resident hens, Hope, Coco Puff, Pepper and Buttercup. The project combined the academic areas of math (geometry and algebra), engineering and agricultural science with a hearty serving of leadership skills and teamwork.
Interestingly, the students were required to design the chicken coop so that it could be built in two parts, in preparation for transport to Community Day’s new campus (4335 Wilkinson Rd., Sarasota) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The construction took place on May 13 at Community Day’s current campus. Approximately a dozen students – some of whom have been enrolled at Community Day since preschool and have cared for school hens throughout their tenure on the campus – were involved. Since the chicken coop will be used on the new campus, this is being considered a legacy project for the school’s eighth graders, for future students to enjoy.
To enhance the build, Zoller Roofing – owned by a school family – donated roofing shingles and protective layering for the coop.
Community Day is well-known for its Papa Ed and Mimi Sustainable Organic Kibbutz School Garden and Outdoor Classroom, with students learning agricultural science while tending to a wide variety of produce, fruits and flowers. Caring for living creatures – including the hens and other school pets – are part and parcel of the Community Day educational experience, a part the students especially enjoy.
“Instead of limiting learning to textbooks, Community Day teaches students through doing,” said Dan Ceaser, head of school. “Our students are able to address real-world challenges through unconventional thought, unexpected ingenuity, and – on occasion – good old elbow grease. And now, for years to come, our students – as well as our hens – will be able to appreciate the new chicken coop.”
For more on Community Day School, go to communityday.org.
About Hershorin Schiff Community Day School
The mission of the Hershorin Schiff Community Day School, which serves students in preschool through eighth grade, is to impact the world by creating a community where children of all faiths demonstrate integrity, academic excellence, and a desire to improve the world. Community Day offers a rigorous, project-based academic program in a diverse and vibrant learning environment rooted in the Jewish values of honesty, integrity, mutual trust and respect. For more information, visit the website at communityday.org or call (941) 552-2770.