Gardening program plants seeds of learning at Conyers

It may be the month for kids to dance around the maypole, but some preschoolers instead enjoyed planting around the flagpole.

Students at Conyers Learning Academy in Rolling Meadows have been learning about local natural resources. Special state funding enabled them to visit Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg and learn about conservation through a variety of classroom activities.

"The goal was to show the kids a connection to the environment and that we're interdependent with it," said teacher Mary Brummel, who secured the grant for the project.

Conyers academy was established by District 15 to prepare at-risk students for kindergarten. "These children have probably never, ever worked in a garden," Brummel said. "It was a chance to see how meaningful it can be."

The unit culminated with the planting of flowers last week. Professional gardeners Shawna Coronado and Pat Clancy joined the children in front of the building. Most didn't know what to do at first, but with a little coaching they quickly got comfortable with the small shovels.

The front of the school along Central Road is now dotted with colorful marigolds and geraniums.

And speaking of planting: The Rolling Meadows Garden Club is working with a suburban tree care company to beautify the grounds of the WINGS emergency shelter in town.

The garden club has volunteered for WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger) in the past, including planting a vegetable garden at the shelter.

This year Wheeling-based The Care of Trees offered to clean and freshen up the grounds, which had become an eyesore after a harsh winter, club officials say.

WINGS operates 25 homes and apartments for women and children in the Chicago area. During May, WINGS is trying to raise $200,000 to continue providing its services. Call (847) 908-0910 if you'd like to help.

Child care option: Did you know the Rolling Meadows Park District offers baby-sitting service at the Community Center? It's is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $2 per hour per child if you're participating in a park district program. (I used it once for my daughter while I went for a run on park district jogging paths -- and that counted!) If you're running errands or something else, the cost is $3.75 per hour. Register two days in advance by calling (847) 818-3200, ext. 234.