Marthasville Elementary has taken another step in enriching its outdoor classroom experience with the recent installation of a Story Walk, blending literacy with nature in a hands-on, student-centered way.

The project was made possible through a WINGS grant awarded last year, thanks to a grant application written by school counselor Robyn Busekrus. The Story Walk was envisioned as a way to support student engagement and promote lifelong learning through reading in an outdoor environment.

“The project enables our school to grow and enhance our outdoor learning classroom into an added extra literacy area,” said Busekrus. “The Story Walk originated from an idea to bring kids and communities together to be centered on literacy. Students will have opportunities to be proactive and engaged learners.”

The new Story Walk will serve as a dynamic tool integrated into K–6 reading, counseling lessons, after-school club activities, and school-wide community-building initiatives. The installation complements other features of the school’s outdoor learning area, including benches built by local Boy Scouts, student-crafted garden planters, a school garden, and an insect habitat area.

In a display of community collaboration, graphic communications students from Four Rivers Career Center partnered with Marthasville Elementary to design and produce the interactive reading materials used in the Story Walk. This ongoing partnership will allow the school to continue incorporating creative visuals and educational tools into the space.

Marthasville Elementary and Busekrus expressed appreciation to several contributors who helped bring the project to life:

*Katelyn Huber and Jeff Marquart (Four Rivers Career Center)

*Ann Loesing (Washington High School)

*The FRCC graphic communications students

*Ben Hoemann and the School District of Washington Buildings and Grounds team

*WINGS Educational Foundation for the grant funding

*Student leaders Wyatt Couch and Leo Czuchna for their hands-on help during setup

Through this collaborative effort, the Story Walk is now an exciting and meaningful addition to Marthasville’s outdoor classroom, supporting a love of reading, student leadership, and cross-program partnerships throughout the school community.