Forest Glen Elementary to Build Reading Garden with Lowe’s Grant

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded a $3,850 Toolbox for Education grant to Forest Glen Elementary in Lawrence Township, for renovation of their library courtyard into a reading garden. Forest Glen is one of 1,000 schools or parent organizations to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for parent-initiated school improvement projects benefiting public education K-12 across the U.S. during the 2008-2009 school year.

The area that is accessible via the library will be cleaned up, landscaped, furnished and decorated by the PFO and the school’s SUN Club to create an opportunity for our young readers to experience the excitement and sense of freedom of being outdoors while encouraging reading as a fun experience. By adding landscaping, reading nooks, shaded areas, and visual stimulation the courtyard will foster imagination, spur excitement, and bolster their desire for reading. This special space will cultivate a longtime positive feeling toward reading.

The courtyard will also provide a unique environment for teachers to use in their other lessons as well. This space and project will also allow us to provide lessons on the impacts we make on the environment as a result of our choices. Through the use of furniture made from recycled material and the reclamation of the courtyard, this project is an opportunity to explore and learn about ways to be environmentally friendly. Students will learn about the benefits of eco-friendly activities and ways they can support and implement their ideas in their community and at their homes.  The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this school year.

“Through our Toolbox for Education grant program, Lowe’s recognizes parent-initiated efforts to enrich the lives of children in our communities,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “By supporting schools like Forest Glen, we believe we are contributing to a cause that’s important to our customers and employees and helping build a stronger foundation for the children who will be tomorrow’s employees, homeowners and community leaders.”

Launched in partnership with PTO Today, a leading organization serving parent-teacher groups, the Toolbox for Education program has provided more than 3,000 grants totaling $13.7 million since 2006 benefitting over 1,000,000 school children.  Grants of up to $5,000 are available to public schools in the U.S. only for a wide range of improvement projects and urban schools or school districts may be eligible to receive Toolbox grants up to $100,000 for school improvement initiatives. All K-12 public schools in the United States are eligible. Parent groups may apply by visiting www.toolboxforeducation.com.   Our education focus in Canada includes a partnership with Skills Canada Ontario.

Since its inception in 1957, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has helped communities nationwide through employee volunteerism and financial contributions. Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $27.5 million to support community and education projects across the United States and Canada in 2007.