- Now

Why should you look at how your schoolyard is used and maintained?

Your answers to these questions will be useful when you decide to collect data. For example, you'll want to schedule data collection at times when pesticides are not used.

The answers will also be useful when you get to the point of analyzing data.


• What should you know about the present?
  
  When you describe your school yard, include both physical descriptions (most of these will be on your map) as well as how the school yard is used.
  
  
  Who takes care of the school yard?
  
  Describe their maintenance schedule: How often is the grass watered and mowed? How often are herbicides/pesticides used?
  
  Which teachers currently use the schoolyard for class projects? (find out when and how often)
  
  What areas are used by the kids at recess and/or breaks?
  
  Which areas are used more during specific times of the school year (are the shadier parts used mostly in fall and spring, etc.)? What are those areas used for?
  
  How do the staff and faculty use part of the schoolyard during their breaks?
  
  What after-school activities use part of the schoolyard?
  
  How is the schoolyard used over the school breaks?