Magical transformations are happening inside the Early Childhood and Grade School Buildings! We have been busy getting ready for the school year. Many thanks to the parents, teachers, alumni, and students who have come together to breathe new life and beauty into our school.

Out of the imagination of dreamers…

…abundant sweat equity from doers, generous support from benefactors, and the grateful hearts of the community, we have accomplished many beautiful things to make the coming school year begin with a sparkle!

The first grade classroom and the Apple Blossom kindergarten were blessed and beautifully painted by lazure artist, Maude La Terreur.

Both the first and eighth grade classrooms have been “made over” with fresh paint, shelving, a kitchen cabinet, and lots of tender love and care to the items within. Thank you to an anonymous donor for the funds towards the physical construction costs and to the volunteer efforts of time and labor from many, including the Gourlay family and Heather Fowler for the first grade, and to Meredith Markow, Veronica Bernike, Heather Bauman, Kris Root, Mark Taylor, Jay Pricer, and Augusta Krahl for the eighth grade. It’s wonderful to see the space so beautifully curated for our oldest and youngest students in the grade school.

Beautiful kitchen cabinetry was installed in the second and third grade classrooms, along with trim around the chalkboard in second grade and a fresh paint job in third grade. Thanks, again, to the anonymous donor that funded the physical construction materials and to Rob Palmer, Mike Doran, and Julie Wahlin for their craftsmanship, ingenuity, and labor!

The Faculty Room is transformed! The anonymous donation for beautification of our building also afforded funds to re-carpet the room, and the volunteer efforts of Kirsty Gourlay and Julie Wahlin put the finishing touches on the appointments-not to mention a fresh coat of paint on the wall. Amidst the busy day, teachers now have a professional space to meet, warm a meal, and have a calm and beautiful space to pause. Thank you, again, to Heather Byer, who originally envisioned this space and supported its first inception with her time and generous contribution.

The fabulous Foyer, Community Room, and Hallway: With just enough funds remaining from the original donor/grant for building improvements, we were able to hire out a professional to repair and paint the entire front entrance. The effect on the welcoming area to our school was so dramatic, it inspired another anonymous donor to step forward to fund the repair and patching of the hallway and community room walls; an otherwise impossible task. Subsequently, on a summer Sunday morning, another group of helpers was able put paint on the walls of the community room to perfectly compliment the space. Thanks to the the Billy’s of the Gourlay and Far-Kiendl Clan, Amy Hoeltge, Heather Fowler, LCWS Alumna, Will and Julia Kiendl, and Lee Voorhies—who took time create a beautiful frame for a school notice board.

Outside the Kindergarten we have new raised garden beds! Thank you so much Steve Wisbaum and Champlain Valley Compost Company for their generous donation of soil to fill these four beds. Champlain Valley Compost Company donated several yards of their Raised Bed Mix and a bag of their Pro-Gro Organic Fertilizer, for which we are so very grateful.

Special thanks to:

Jeremy Oliver, professional painter, on the job at 6:30 am, with a smile.
Maude La Terreur, lazure artist who made her way to Turtle Lane from Montreal for our school.
Patti, of Patricia D. Rossi Interior Design, who in lieu of a fancy design bill for the paint colors, is enjoying her favorite Margherita Pizza at Folino’s.
And, as always, deep gratitude to Mike Doran who puts forth a tireless effort to be all and do all!