Holding a bowl of lettuce raised in the Sawtooth Elementary Grow Tower is Trevor Morris. Funds to purchase the $1,130 aeroponic Grow Tower came from the Cook County School District 166 Education Foundation, which gets its money from fundraisers like the upcoming March 9 Enriching Academics Through Sustenance (EATS) event that will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cook County High School.
Walking down a Sawtooth Mountain Elementary hall, you may find a group of students huddled around a brightly lit tall contraption, excitedly talking. “Wow! Did you see how much they’ve grown!”
What’s all the excitement about? It’s a grow tower, purchased to demonstrate the power of gardening with aeroponics. Aeroponics yield 30 percent more produce at a rate three times faster than the average growth cycle. This system allows students to grow, harvest and eat food in classrooms throughout the year. However, at the cost of $1,130 per grow tower, teachers had to find funding outside of district funds.
The Cook County School District 166 Education Foundation (CCSDEF) was pleased to be able to fund the purchase of one for the first grades. The enthusiasm for the project was contagious, and the board of directors voted unanimously to support a grow tower. But this isn’t the only project that CCSDEF has funded over the years.
Other recent projects include funding a Middle School Writers’ Club, allowing Ms. Nelson to enlist the services of two local authors to encourage budding writers to build their confidence and skill levels. Mr. Gesch, CCHS Culinary Arts instructor, requested and received equipment for selling chili and soups, made by the CCHS Culinary Arts students, at the Booster Club concessions stands, benefiting not only the Booster Club but also giving students valuable food service experience. Ms. Ternes, High School Choir instructor, requested and received funding for bringing the group Lyric Opera of the North to our pre-K through 5th-grade students, presenting educational background and singing opportunities to our classes.
Concordia Language Camps, Knowledge Bowl, Timber Framing at North House, Michael Monroe One Man Acoustics Workshop, Inuit Soapstone Carving classes, Mixed Blood Theater presentations, Middle School Exploratory Days support, Robotics team entry fees, Terrence Smith Folk Dancing…these and more are all extraordinary adventures, to the tune of nearly $102,000, made possible by the CCSDEF!
Formed in 1999, CCSDEF, a 501(c)(3) foundation, was created specifically with the goal of providing staff an avenue to seek funding for exceptional educational opportunities, which were unable to be funded by the school district. The only requirement to be a member of the board of directors is to be passionate about providing educational opportunities to ISD166 students.
Its primary fundraiser is Enriching Academics Through Sustenance (EATS), held annually in March, and raises anywhere from $5,300 to $8,700. The evening is filled with live music as participants can wander the halls tasting delicious items from generous local businesses and our own high school Culinary Arts class. Also, many businesses and individuals donate items for a silent auction. The event has many repeat attendees.
This year’s EATS event is being held Thursday, March 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cook County High School. Only 150 tickets are being sold, and they are going fast. Tickets can be purchased at Java Moose, Blue Water Café, the K-12 office, or from a board member.
Get your ticket and treat yourself to a delightful evening!
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