Old Quarry Middle School Wins Lowe's 'Toolbox for Education' Grant

students and staff will soon be enjoying a new and improved outdoor learning space thanks to a grant from Lowe's Home Improvement.

Last month, seventh-grade teacher Michelle Nevin was informed that Old Quarry was awarded $4,970 through the Lowe's "Toolbox for Education" program, which awards $5 million annually to public schools across the country.

The money will be used this spring to revamp the deteriorating courtyard area outside the school, Nevin said.

"We were shocked and absolutely thrilled to hear the news, especially since we were awarded the entire amount we applied for," she said.

Now in its sixth year, the Toolbox for Education program has awarded nearly $25 million to more than 5,000 public schools. All K-12 schools are eligible for the grants, which are funded by the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation.

Nevin learned about the grant opporunity last summer from Lemont resident Laura Swalec, who has two sons in .

Together, Nevin and Swalec developed the idea to create a learning garden and outdoor classrom in the courtyard behind Old Quarry. Although they have yet to finalize any designs, they would like to bring in new benches or a picnic table, and possibly plants for a garden.

With improvements, Swalec said, the space has the potential to become a beautiful, peaceful space for students.

"The courtyard is a focal point right outside the library, and it's a bit of an eyesore right now," Swalec said. "With this grant we wanted to create an area where kids can have outdoor classes or a gardening club, or even just a place to read or study."

Nevin said the courtyard could also be used as part of the school's Positive Behavior Incentive Program.

"We want to make it a more inviting, usable space where students really want to spend their time," she said. "It would be great if we could use the courtyard as a reward for students' good behavior."

In the coming weeks, Nevin and Swalec will be contacting a project coordinator from the Bolingbrook Lowe's to determine what materials the school will be able to purchase.

Nevin, a Student Council advisor, hopes to get students involved once the project kicks off this spring.

"This is a community project, so we want everyone involved—parents, teachers and students," she said.

In October, Nevin and Swalec joined the Lemont Parent Teacher Organization and the Old Quarry Student Council for a . More than 50 students, parents and teachers spent several hours picking up trash, planting bulbs and spreading mulch—resulting in a cleaner, brighter Old Quarry.

Swalec praised Nevin for her work on the grant application and ongoing commitment to the school.

"Michelle is an amazing person, both in the classroom and out," Swalec said. "She always goes above and beyond to help others, and she's extremely enthusiastic about everything she does. As a parent, I'm so grateful we have her in Lemont."