Sweat Equity for Terraset

Terraset Elementary has the distinction of being Reston's school that is built into the ground.

That gives students and teacher more space to explore the outdoors. Already on the grass-covered roof: a butterfly garden and vegetable garden. New this year: an outdoor classroom.

The Terraset PTA received a grant from Lowe's for materials to build the classroom. PTA volunteers were out early Saturday morning, tilling soil, hauling dirt and laying bricks for the new addition, which will hopefully be finished by Saturday evening.

"Over the years, we have established the vegetable garden and the butterfly garden," said Liz Falcone, Terraset PTA president.

The butterfly garden was helped with a grant from the National Wildlife Federation's Schoolyard Habitat's Program, while the vegetable garden was planted with help from Whole Foods.

"Now with this outdoor classroom up here teachers can use the space to have lessons right here," Falcone said as she shoveled dirt at the project.

When the outdoor classroom is complete, it will have brick paving, a retaining wall with room for about 25 children to sit, and a teacher's bench.

"They can come up here and sit and talk and learn," said Falcone.

About 20 volunteers are scheduled in shifts throughout the day, and Ledo's will be providing a pizza lunch. More help is always welcome, says Falcone.

And if volunteers can't make it Saturday, there are many opportunities to help keep Terraset's roof in shape. The PTA is looking for gardening enthusiasts to assist with weeding the butterfly and vegetable gardens. If you want to work in the garden at a future date contact PTA officers Liz Falcone or Heather Thomas.