Tom Frericks Bird Hill School Forest Re-naming Honors William Kelley Teacher

by Kitty Mayo

After a long teaching career, Tom Frericks is retiring. He spent 39 years as a classroom teacher, and 27 of those in the Lake Superior School District teaching all subjects at William Kelley School in Silver Bay.

Comments shared at the LSSD school board meeting last week by chair Tracy Tiboni gave a glowing review of Frerick's contributions to a legacy he leaves behind at his retirement.

“Because of Tom Frericks' foresight to make the environment an integrated part of our elementary curriculum, our school and community have benefited greatly from his leadership and dedication to ensure students had environmental learning opportunities,” said Tiboni.

Over the years Frericks spear-headed projects to build and implement the plantings of a school greenhouse and garden. He also, literally and figuratively, helped grow a fruit orchard that now boasts 50 apple trees and 10 plum trees, the fruit of which go into jellies made by the FACS classes.

Frericks is also the motivating force behind the school's woodfired pizza oven, where people happily stand in line during the summer months to purchase pizzas made from ingredients from the school garden.

Upon hearing the praise and appreciation, Frericks responded in his usual style, emphatically stating that many others in the community worked with him to get these projects done. Most importantly, he recognized the ongoing support, and more importantly, elbow grease that his parents have lent through their volunteerism on his projects.

Frericks says the whole community of Silver Bay put energy into the forest, saying that included; "all of the moms and dads, grandpas and grandmas, school staff, students, businesses, and especially my Mom and Dad.” Every-one pitched in to brush trails, build the boardwalk, put up interpretive signs, cut the staircase, and build the open-air classroom.

“I believed that if all of us had a hand in the making of this school forest, we would also feel ownership in this place, where everyone could walk the trails and learn from nature,” said Frericks.

Calling Bird Hill School Forest the “crown jewel” of Frericks' accomplishments, Tiboni proposed that the forest be renamed “Tom Frericks Bird Hill School Forest” to honor all his hard work and commemorate his retirement. The school forest was officially designated on January 16, 2002.

The forest now known as the Tom Frericks Bird Hill School Forest is comprised of 40 acres, that include boardwalks, interpretive signs, lookouts, and an outdoor classroom. The forest has been held up by Karen Harrison of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as an example for other schools to strive for.

When asked why he worked so hard to bring his many outdoor projects to life, Frericks was clear that this theme was a passion for creating a teachable moment.

“I believe that you can use the forest and the gardens to teach through. Anything that the kids can hold onto, something that is real which can then be used to teach math, reading, or any other subject. I feel that my teaching is most effective when my students are outside and learning through the environment,” said Frericks.

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