We are very excited about spring for many reasons, but the launch of the Growing Gardeners program might take the cake.
Thanks to a grant from the Albrecht Poss Family Foundation, the Collaboration for Early Childhood is able to award supplies and materials that will expand STEM concepts to eleven early childhood programs. These materials include a raised garden bed, a composting system, tools, seeds and a garden curriculum. It is our hope that these gardens will enrich the experiences of early learners in our communities and can be used to enhance learning year after year, and season after season.
Join us in congratulating the following early childhood programs that were selected as part of the 2021 Growing Gardeners Cohort:
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4Crosses Academy of Learning LTD
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Arts Language Music Academy (A. L. M. A.)
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Concordia University Early Childhood Education Center
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Oak Park River Forest Day Nursery
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Favor Academy
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Future Leaders’ Learning Center
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The Itsy Bitsy Home Day Care
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Oak Park Building Blocks
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Quetzali
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River Forest Community Center
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St. Catherine – St. Lucy School
Update: Take a look at some of the gardens in action.
Watering new strawberry plants at St. Catherine St. Lucy School.
Farmer Dan talks about a sprout in the new garden at Future Leaders Learning Center.
Helpful labels outside the compost container at the River Forest Community Center garden.
Kids holding up the cucumbers that were grown in their garden!
Checking out the critters in the compost at the Day Nursery garden.