Focusing on Equity

The Conceptual Schoolyard Planning Grant

At the very beginning of the process, Milwaukee Public Schools are asked to apply to the Conceptual Schoolyard Planning Grant. The application will allow schools to explain what they will do with their redeveloped schoolyard, why they deserve this redevelopment and how they will work to make the schoolyard a reality. The grant begins the selection process for the schools; however, if awarded, it only covers funding for the year-long conceptual planning support that the nonprofit Reflo, MMSD, MPS and other organizations will guide the schools through. Applications typically open in September and close in October of the same year.

Schoolyard Redevelopment selection meeting presentations

The top 10 finalists of the Planning Grant will give a 5-minute presentation to a group of GSCM members, speaking to the need and enthusiasm they have towards the redevelopment program, followed by a question and answer session from the members. While finalists are presenting, GSCM members have the opportunity to review administrative data such as school statistics, planning boundaries, historical redlining and more to make the most educated decision possible. Once all finalists have presented, GSCM members will vote on the 5 schools they think should move forward. Through this process, the GSCM works to ensure the selection of these schools is as fair as possible and considers all economic, social, and environmental factors before making a decision.

Charettes

GSCM members meet with the staff and students of each school to brainstorm what they would like to see in their new schoolyard. Each conceptual plan is unique to the needs of the school because each school is located in a different community with different interests, after school activities, and environmental needs.

Conceptual PLan

Once they are selected, schools work with GSCM members to complete their conceptual plan document. This roughly 40-page document is filled with schoolyard renderings, research on outdoor learning, statistics on rainwater harvesting and curricular connections to show all opportunities their new schoolyard can offer. This conceptual plan is a primary source of information for potential fundraisers, as each school works to raise roughly $1 million in funds.

General Timeline

*The following is a general timeline for one cohort of schools going through the schoolyard redevelopment process. Important dates are subject to change from cohort to cohort. On average, GSCM members will work with 3 cohorts of schools in a given year.

September

The Conceptual Schoolyard Planning Grant opens for Milwaukee Public Schools to apply

October

Applications for the Planning Grant are due

November

Selection Meeting Presentations

Roughly 1 week after the selection process, awardees will be announced.

December

Kickoff meeting with the awardees’ green teams and principals

January

Conceptual planning for the new schoolyards begins.

February

Charettes - GSCM members meet with students and staff at each school to brainstorm what they wish to see in their schoolyard.

April

The first drafts of modelings for the new schoolyards are released to the public during school open houses.

August

Schools present at the Green and Healthy Schools Conference.

December

Schools are given their completed conceptual plan booklet,

January

Fundraising begins for schools from penny collections to large grant applications. Each school has a goal to raise approximately $1 million in funds.

August

Schools present at the Green and Healthy Schools Conference

January

Bids go out to local engineering and construction firms for the schoolyards

March

Detailed project drawings are created with the chosen firms

June

Construction begins in the schoolyards

September

Ribbon cutting of the new schoolyard

October and Onwards

Stewardship of the schoolyard begins

Quote about the selection process here