Now when spring fever descends on Goodwin classrooms, teachers have a new way to address it: They can take their students out to a gazebo-covered outdoor classroom. Former kindergarten teacher Johanna “Jody” Endrich would smile to learn how her bequest was used.

“Johanna ‘Jody’ Endrich was a beloved kindergarten teacher at Goodwin School for more than 35 years. Her dedication to education and affection for the children of Old Saybrook is evident in her very generous gift to Goodwin,” said Goodwin School kindergarten teacher Marsha Rosenthal.

Endrich died in Florida in May 2012, but in her will, she left a bequest to Goodwin School of $108,390 and asked that it be used “for children in need of support.” In September 2013, Endrich’s nephew, Walter Sage, presented the bequest check to the Board of Education.

In fall 2013 a Goodwin School committee was formed with the goal to decide how to allocate the funds to honor Endrich’s wish that the gift benefit the school’s students.

“We wanted the first project to not only benefit our school, but to honor Jody. Our hope is that this beautiful gazebo will become a gathering place for celebrations, [and where] classes [can] share books, stories, [and] music; create art; and observe nature. It will extend our classrooms and enrich our teaching and learning,” said Rosenthal.

The new outdoor teaching space behind the school includes a poured concrete floor and a wooden gazebo structure overall to provide shade and define the space. The total cost for materials and construction was $18,895.

Rosenthal said the committee planned to soon add a commemorative plaque honoring Endrich’s memory as teacher and friend of the school and its students.

With more than $89,000 from Endrich’s gift still unspent, other worthy projects will be rolled out in the next few years that will honor Endrich’s memory and the bequest’s intent. This is a gift that will keep on giving for many years.