Community

Garden School Coat Drive
• Several individual students in the Upper Division knew that there were New Yorkers in need of coats, hats and gloves during the cold, cold winter months. They started and encouraged their fellow Gardenites (and their families) to contribute. Thanks to everyone who made Garden’s substantial donation of clothing to Common Ground possible

Garden School Blood Drive

• Raising money is one thing, but Garden students, families and teachers know that sometimes giving of one’s self is what’s needed. What gift “comes from the inside” better that a pint of blood? Blood drives are Garden tradition and in November 2010, Garden “donors” (and some Jackson Heights neighbors) helped the NY Blood Center collect 70 pints of blood. Another blood drive will be held in May 2011, so mark you calendar and roll up your sleeve! New York Blood Center

St. John’s Bread and Life

• In November 2010, seventeen members of Garden’s “G House” volunteered at St. John’s Bread and Life program in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Students gained a deeper understanding of the plight of hungry New Yorkers as they served lunch and loaded grocery bags for the families to take home. G House had also sponsored a bake sale to raise money for the program and the students were able to present the Director with a check that will provide future meals.

Garden School Key Clubbers @ Kid’s Day

• Key Club is the most popular club at Garden School, with more than 30 dues-paying members in grades 9-12. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of La Guardia Airport, “Key Clubbers” volunteer throughout Queens and throughout the year. In recent months, Garden students have participated in Kids’ Day at La Guardia Airport, created and distributed Thanksgiving Baskets at Elmhurst Hospital, supported various neighborhood clean-ups and provided volunteers for the 78th Street Play Street.

Garden School Unites for Heifer International

• Getting the idea of helping others on a global scale started early, Upper Division Houses partnered with Lower Division homerooms to raise money for Heifer International. Representatives from each house shared Heifer’s message that providing animals to families in need around the world can help families become self-sufficient.

Garden School Writing Project

• The Garden School Writing Project brings together Garden students and students from other schools for a months-long Saturday program exploring different literary genres such as science fiction and poetry. The program is made possible through the support of the Kiwanis Club of La Guardia Airport and is led by Garden School faculty and alumni. Garden School students welcomed 40 students from other schools as they all participated in this year’s Garden School Writing Project.

Garden School and Jackson Heights Poetry Festival

• The Jackson Heights Poetry Festival continues to attract local poets and the Jackson Heights literary set to its home at Garden School.

Garden School Merit Scholarship Exam

• In November, a record number of students (most from other schools) sat for Garden’s annual Merit Scholarship Exam. Garden students earned multiple awards and more than 18 new students will join the Garden community in September as Merit Scholars based on their outstanding results.

  The popularity of the Merit Scholarship exam for students entering grades 5-9 has led to the expansion of the program for the coming year. Details of the Merit Young Scholars Program, for student entering grades 2-5, will be available shortly. All Merit Awards are based on the results of a competitive exam, a personal interview and past academic achievement

Garden School Foundations Program

• The Foundations Program features enrichment courses for Garden School students and students in the community by application and interview.

Garden School Summer Camp Counselor – in -Training Program

• Winter will be over before we know it and plans for the Garden School Summer Program are well underway. For more than 20 years, the camp has brought Garden students together with children from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens for 8 weeks of great times. Activities include swimming, arts & crafts, basketball, soccer, theatre, academics, social time, teen travel…and more! This summer we will introduce a new Counselor-in-Training program for high school students.

Garden School For You

• Garden has a long tradition of sharing its facilities with a variety of community groups. This year, we have welcomed the St. Joan of Arc Youth Group and provided space for Senator Jose Peralta’s summer film festival.

  Many other groups also use Garden School as their base in Jackson Heights, such as Princeton Review, Ethical Culture Society, Super Soccer Stars, yoga, and CPR. Arrangements to use the facilities can be made through the Business Office or by e-mailing info@gardenschool.org