Gardens Elementary Named Winner of Crayola's School Grant Contest

Gardens Elementary Named Winner of Crayola's School Grant Contest
Posted on 11/15/2013

     Gardens Elementary Gardens Elementary Principal Celia Fleischman is one of 20 elementary and middle school principals from across the nation to be selected by Crayola and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to receive a “Champion Creatively Alive Children” school grant.
      The Champion Creatively Alive Children grants are intended to help principals explore new ways to nurture children’s creativity and inspire other principals to do the same. The campus will be awarded a $2,500 monetary grant and $1,000 worth of Crayola products. This is the second year that Gardens Elementary has received the grant.  
      “This grant is another great opportunity for our campus to continue our art inclusion program that benefits all of our students,” said Fleischman. “Our students are able to develop their creativity and build their self-confidence.”
      Fleischman also said that the grant will provide professional development for teachers on how incorporating art builds literacy skills. The staff plans to use illustrations as a storytelling tool and fine arts as a catalyst for original poetry and stories.
      “Crayola believes that for students today to reach their full potential and grow into self-motivated learners, their imaginations must be nurtured. We believe these children are empowered by the educators who ignite their abilities to bring new ideas to life,” said Mike Perry, Crayola president and chief executive officer.
      The staff at Gardens will share outcomes from their program via NAESP’s website to help other principals develop promising practices related to arts education.

Parent Night
Gardens Elementary students put the donated Crayola products to good use during craft night.