During the 1970s and 1980s Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation experienced a period of rapid growth and by 1986 it was clear that Harris Township needed a school of its own. Plans to build Prairie Vista Elementary School were soon drawn and land was purchased for the school site that contained an old brick house and approximately 13 acres with historic prairie soil types.
During the 1986-87 school year an environmental education committee was formed for the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation that included Marjorie Riemenschneider, a teacher at Bittersweet Elementary who would become part of the new Prairie Vista staff. The committee proposed to the board of education that the brick house become a nature center, staffed with an environmental educator, and that the extra land be preserved as a prairie. The committee also requested that ponds be erected on the property to enable students to study aquatic habitats. The board approved the prairie, ponds, and remodeling of the house. Construction was soon underway and Prairie Vista Elementary School opened its doors to students in 1989.
In the meantime, Penn-Harris-Madison continued to confront the challenges of rapid growth in its student population and was in the midst of remodeling its high school. The board of education elected not to staff a full-time environmental educator and the responsibility of designing and implementing outdoor educational opportunities became the responsibility of the faculty and staff at Prairie Vista.
Several creative and dedicated teachers embraced the challenge. Bill Stanton and Mary Lord developed the Earth Crusaders Camping Club. Marge Riemenschneider shared her knowledge about the plants with other staff members, and made a simple trail guide. Teachers tapped the maple trees and made maple syrup with the fourth grade students as part of their Indiana history unit. A committee of teachers formed to develop ideas for the use of the prairie and contacted Rick Glassman of the St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation Service, who agreed to visit the school twice a year to work with Prairie Vista students. Mr. Glassman, recognizing the educational value of Prairie Vista' prairie, often brought other local schools to the prairie as well.
The prairie soon became integral to Prairie Vista's identity and culture. The school community began the tradition of celebrating "Prairie Week" in mid-October, which is a tradition that is still carried on today.
But, over time invasive species impacted the health of the prairie. Budgetary pressures, which led to the closure and removal of the outdoor laboratory building, also had detrimental consequences. The pond no longer circulated without power to pump it. The sign markers slowly fell into disrepair.
But, the students at Prairie Vista continue to love their prairie. The school community recognizes that it's time to advocate for this extraordinary resource.