Contact Kath Connolly The Learning Community 401-722-1938 cell: 401-743-6625 kath@thelearningcommunity.com For Immediate Release Fourth Grader’s Letter Inspires $110,000 Grant, New School Playground The Learning Community honors literacy as tool for change Lowe’s executives travel to Central Falls to meet students
			Central Falls, RI, September 26, 2008 — Fifth grade students at The Learning Community, a public charter school in Central Falls, today shared the story of how one student’s letter inspired a $110,000 grant from Lowe’s and a new school playground.  A crowd of more than 100 faculty, parents and community leaders were on hand to hear how speaking up can lead to real change.  Joining in the celebration was Mike Brown, executive vice president at Lowe’s, who flew from North Carolina to celebrate with the student who wrote the letter. > read full press release (pdf) Story Slide Show Our students had recess in an old parking lot. We had fun, but a few students began to speak up and formed a committee to plan a new playground. Last year, as part of a class assignment, one fourth grader wrote a letter to Lowe's asking for help, and they awarded the school a $110,000 grant. Designer Laurencia Strauss listened to student and staff ideas and created a unique learning landscape. Parent, staff and community volunteers worked hard all summer to build the playground. Because our students used their voices, Learning Community students have a special space to stretch their bodies and imaginations! photo credit: The Learning Community Photo Library: view and download images of the playground design and build process About The Playground The Learning Community's unique outdoor learning space was designed by Laurencia Strauss with ideas from students, staff and community members in the spring of 2008 and built largely by volunteers during the summer of 2008. Our school wanted to create a space that would enable our students to stretch their imagination and their bodies simultaneously while also introducing opportunities for exploring nature. Part playground, part park, part sculpture the design maximizes limited urban space through a flexible approach affording room for active play and quiet reflection. >> more about The Learning Community's Playground (pdf) Links Photo Library of Learning Community Playground Planning and Building About the Playground Design (pdf) About The Learning Community (pdf) Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation Contact Kath Connolly The Learning Community 401-722-1938 cell: 401-743-6625 kath@thelearningcommunity.com
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