Mission Moments: small hands and big hearts joined together at Lyons Mill Elementary School
On May 23rd, 2018 small hands and big hearts joined together at Lyons Mill Elementary School. In a short period of time, they transformed the landscape of the front of the school and planted native species flowers to beautify the grounds. Mr. Travis Russell, 5th Grade Teacher, Ms. Monica Roth, 3rd Grade Teacher and 13 fourth and fifth graders from the Lyons Mill Elementary SLIME Club (Students Learning Innovating and Mending the Environment) welcomed volunteers from Walden University to make this all happen. As a result, pollinator plants now enhance the courtyard area and help provide educational opportunities for students to better their environmental knowledge.
This joining of efforts all stemmed from a brief contact from one of the many Education Foundation community relationships. When Ms. Katie Hykes-Waddell, Senior Learning Consultant, Education of Walden University contacted Ms. Deborah Phelps, Executive Director of the Foundation, her message was simple and straightforward. Walden University wanted to support schools “green efforts” through the assistance of seven volunteers from the university. Ms. Phelps contacted the principal of Lyons Mill Elementary, Ms. Maralee Clark and got the ball rolling. The result; a beautiful new landscape with instructional opportunities built into the project.
New opportunities with Walden University are on the horizon, such as an initiative called Global Day of Service which is typically in mid-October. This day includes Walden faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as their friends and family who participate in community service projects to effectively be a part of social change. These projects may include brightening up a room with paint and remodel, creating book nooks, hosting community events, creating hygiene kits, and preparing packets of school supplies, etc.
The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. strives to bridge partnerships within the community and BCPS Schools on a daily basis, whether through connecting people to facilitate projects or by providing resources for grants and scholarships, these are just a few of the ways the foundation defines the giving of time, talent and treasure.
Thank you to all the volunteers that helped make a positive impact at Lyons Mill Elementary School.
To learn more about the foundation and community partnerships please visit our website: www.educationfoundationbcps.org
You can also contact our office at (443) 809-8962.