Students, teachers, parents and members of the community gathered recently for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a new outdoor classroom at Kernsville Elementary School.

The classroom was made possible after members of the PTO submitted an application to the Lowe's Toolbox for Education program and were awarded a $5,000 grant, Wendy Pursell, president of Kernsville PTO, said.

Designed by Emily Goenser and Stacey Nash of Parkland Nurseries, the classroom began as a school effort in 2011, when first graders planted the butterfly garden, she said.

The rest of the classroom was completed this spring, Pursell added.

"The space was designed to create an amphitheater-style classroom with boulder seats and picnic benches to make teaching and learning fun and easy," Kernsville Principal Michael Gehringer said. "The plants we selected are mostly needed for a few non-evasive species.

"Many of these plants are of high value wildlife for insects, birds, etc and will help them complete their life cycles while enhancing ours.

"These plants will greatly enhance our natural environment by providing nesting, food and pollen sources for our wildlife."

He said the river stone basin was placed for ease of maintenance.

"This wouldn't have been possible without a team effort," Gehringer said. "Many people in the community were generous with their money and time.

The classroom was made possible with help and support from Parkland Nurseries, Girl Scout Troop 6700, Concordia Lutheran Church, Ma-cungie, Wildlands Conservancy, Kernsville PTO, Kernsville Environmental Club and anonymous donors, Gehringer said. "It's a great space.

"We have used it already and I know it is going to be used much, much more."