The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded a $5,000 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education® grant to McNichols Plaza Elementary School in Scranton for the construction of an outdoor educational classroom. McNichols Plaza is one of 608 schools across the United States to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant during its fall 2017 grants cycle for improvement projects.
The outdoor educational classroom was constructed on the McNichols Plaza school campus in order to give the students, teachers, and parents a place to gather outside. The area will be used for parent engagement activities, as well as everyday school lessons. Butterfly bushes will be planted around the area to attract butterflies, which students can study during Life Science lessons. Students also plan to add birdhouses to the structure in the hopes of attracting different types of wildlife. The project was completed in Fall 2018.
“We are so grateful for the Lowes grant and the opportunities an outdoor classroom will provide to all our students. I’m looking forward to the lessons our wonderful teachers will develop to engage our students and enhance their educational experience in our new outdoor setting, said Principal Mina Ardestani. ”
Since its inception in 2005, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education has provided more than $60 million in grants to more than 13,000 schools, benefiting more than 6 million schoolchildren. Grants are available to K-12 public schools in the United States for a wide range of improvement projects. Schools may be eligible to receive Toolbox grants up to $100,000. Parent groups and educators can apply by visiting ToolboxForEducation.com.
Since 1957, Lowe’s Gives Foundation has helped improve communities across North America through financial
contributions and support for employee volunteerism.