Perhaps one of the most important aspects of a learning space is not only what it offers to challenge its students academically, but also the physical environment in which that learning occurs. It is far easier for students to wake up every day and head to school with an enthused mindset when they know that their campus is a lively and vibrant place.
Green spaces on school campuses have emotional and physical health benefits, and, not only that, they boost academic performance. According to Penn State, “a study of public high school students found consistent improvements in student behavior and performance when there were views of nature. The presence of nature (even just views) help student recovery from mental fatigue and stress.” Similarly, the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences “In the 250m buffer, both greenness measures predicted higher scores for reading and math; and in the 1000m buffer, tree canopy cover predicted better performance for reading and math.”
Unfortunately, the trees that used to line the side of Westview’s plaza opposite the palm trees were cut down following a ruptured underground water pipe some years ago. Ever since then, the concrete highway is littered with squares of dried dirt and whole or partial metal grates with holes in the centers where the trees used to be.
These spaces have remained unaltered ever since, and have become quite the safety hazard for students who can trip or twist their ankles on the uneven ground. When an inquiry was made to a groundskeeper, The Nexus was made aware that the spaces were to have the grates cleared and the tree planters be filled with concrete.
The Nexus applauds Westview’s action to resolve the issue of the empty planters, but also thinks that those spaces may have been put to better use by adding plants. While jacking up concrete to repair a water pipe is an investment of finances and resources, it is important to reflect upon the magnitude of the impact it will have on our students. It should be a number one priority of the district and Westview administration to ensure that the place in which we learn is as high quality as the education we receive.
This new development will cement that part of Westview as having minimal plant life, which is already a considerable amount of the school.
Currently, the group initiative Trees@WV is advocating to improve the numbers of trees on Westview’s campus, especially the central plaza. Their proposal is to plant trees, raise the student population’s appreciation for greenery, and improve Westview’s “shade desert”.
This is exactly the kind of opportunity that the school should embrace and put in motion as soon as possible. Looking to Del Norte, which has a nearly identical campus to Westview, but with abundant trees and other foliage, could guide our first steps as we determine what will suit our needs. We look forward to watching Trees@WV and administration continue taking steps to address greenery on our campus.
The Nexus urges Westview to find a way, if not through replacing its trees and water pipe, to pursue other ways to raise the level of greenery on our campus. The positive impact that it would have on students, staff, and the general atmosphere make the resources necessary for such improvements more than worth it and could be an important step of making Westview feel like a true home.
