Preschool Pumpkin Patch Pride

Hawthorne EC School Students Enjoy the Fruits of Community Collaboration

Wheeling, IL October 2012--Nestled behind Hawthorne Early Childhood School in CCSD21-Wheeling, is the latest creation of Debbie Willing, LMC Assistant.  Willing had help from community members who contributed to making this dream come true.  D21 Operation Crew transformed a former satellite dish area into a garden.  Horcher Farms provided pumpkins and straw bales for seating.  A religious organization that rents the building offered additional straw bales, cornstalks, and holiday decorations.  Target volunteers from the Arlington Heights store donated plastic bags and time assisting with the “picking”.  Mr. Bob, Hawthorne custodian, played “bus driver” as the little ones joined hands on a jump rope ride to the site.  Lining the fenced area were the 16 scarecrows created by the 3- and 4-year-olds in their unit on body parts. 

After arriving at the pumpkin patch, students listened to The Legend of Spookley, the Square Pumpkin read by parent volunteers and staff members. They learned that everyone is special and that anyone can help their friends.  Of course, the finale was picking up a pumpkin of their very own to take home and share with their family.  Principal Gwen Gage said, “Smiles abounded as the children returned to their classrooms.  We are so grateful for the teamwork that made this in-school field trip possible.” 

Photo 1: Old Satellite Dish Area

Photo 2: Transformed Pumpkin Patch

Photo 3: Connie Nichols, SLP, assisted by Willing, reads a book to eager listeners from a bilingual classroom. 

About Community Consolidated School District 21
Community Consolidated School District 21 serves students in grades Pre-K through eight in parts of Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, and Northbrook, Illinois. There are thirteen schools, and students from School District 21 matriculate to Township High School District 214 upon completion of eighth grade. The purpose of District 21 schools is to provide a learning environment for all students to become life-long learners and productive citizens.

Hawthorne EC School offers a nurturing, caring and experience-rich environment to 3 and 4 year old children who run the risk of not having a successful beginning in school. In providing the appropriate environment and experiences we feel we are adding the extra tools needed for a more successful kindergarten and primary grade experience.

Contact Information:

Dr. Gwendolyn Rowe Gage, Principal                                                        gwen.gage@ccsd21.org                                                                                    847.465.7290