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ICS OUTDOOR CLASSROOM DAY Wide smiles and excited voices would welcome anyone who visited the elementary school that morning. fun. The event coincided with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new ES Learning Hub construction which is expected to be completed in June 2020. As ICS evolves its systems and curriculum to ensure more personalized and authentic learning experiences to students, the ES Outdoor Classroom Day came as a learning experience that combined personalization, authenticity of learning and fun. The excitement among the students was visible during the days leading up to the day. Students could be overheard chatting with their friends and families about how fun it sounds to learn one full-day in the outdoors. The day stood up to its promise. Wide smiles and excited voices would welcome anyone who visited the elementary school that morning. Since early in the morning, one could see students listening to read- alouds under the beautiful ICS acacia trees or having nature- walks through the ICS greenery or visiting the mini-pond by the admin gate investigating how the goldfish live. “We had mixed [groups of students], and it was like a hub. It was a good reminder of the available Elementary school at ICS Addis outdoor space. While it was had its first Outdoor Classroom nice to be out in fresh air, it was Day on Friday, 30 November 2018. also nice for the kids to work A global educational campaign, with peers from other classes,” Outdoor Classroom Day celebrates says Sarah Begashaw, and inspires outdoor learning and Grade 1 Teacher. 8