GROWING MINDS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Dear Families and Friends,

At CDM, we believe that nature is one of the most powerful teachers. When children are given the freedom to explore the outdoors, they develop curiosity, resilience, and a deep connection to the world around them. This is the heart of our educational philosophy—and this fall, we have an exciting opportunity to bring that vision to life.

GROWING MINDS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

We are launching our Outdoor Learning Campaign, running now through December 31st, with the goal of raising $10,000 to transform our outdoor space into a vibrant, hands-on learning environment.

Thanks to a generous matching gift from the Granite City Lumberjacks, the first $1,000 in donations will be doubled—giving us a strong start toward our goal!

Your contribution will help us:

• Build a natural play area with logs, stumps, and climbing structures that would double as seating for an outdoor classroom.
• Add an outdoor art easel.
• Create a sensory path for movement and mindfulness.
• Add weather-proof learning stations for science, art, and storytelling by implementing a small green house and outdoor weather learning stations.

These enhancements will allow our students to engage in daily outdoor exploration, guided by Montessori principles and supported by our dedicated teachers. Imagine children planting seeds, observing insects, painting with natural materials, and learning under the open sky.

Every gift is a seed planted in the future of our children.

Let’s grow something beautiful together.

Warmly, Angie Schoenrock Executive Director, Children’s Day Montessori

"The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth." – Maria Montessori