TGS In The Community
Connecting Children to Their Communities
The first five years of a child’s life is an essential time to introduce them to resources and individuals within their community, especially ones they’ll encounter as they grow. Whether it be opportunities for children to bring in items to donate to others in need, hosting children and families who are facing health challenges, or inviting emergency service workers, doctors, artists, or musicians to share about their work, these compelling experiences help children interact with real people, further preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.
We Partner with the Local Community
The Gardner School partners with the local community by maintaining relationships with a variety of community leaders and organizations.
Community Organizations
Through ongoing partnerships with local food banks, homeless shelters, humane societies, and other organizations that give back to the community like Make-A-Wish®, Toys for Tots®, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society®, or The Salvation Army®, our staff, students, and families have the opportunity to donate items or volunteer time in ways that invest in helping those in need.
Local Fire and Police Departments and Other Community Heroes
The Gardner School makes it a priority to help preschoolers understand the role that emergency service workers play in our world. Through special occasional visits from emergency service workers, children build trust and understanding with these service workers and all they do to keep them safe from harm.
Local Museums
The Gardner School partners with local museums who bring experts into the classroom to share the joys of a museum with little learners, allowing them hands-on opportunities to build blocks of visual art, hear from characters dressed up as local historical figures, and even play with musical instruments.
Local Zoos
Since children often have a healthy curiosity for the animal kingdom, preschool visits from zoo partners can jumpstart learning about biology and the natural world. We enjoy hosting local zoo partners who stop by with knowledge and hands-on animal learning experiences so that kids can get a closer look.
Healthcare Professionals
To help build positive relationships between healthcare professionals and children, occasional visits from doctors or nurses in the nonclinical setting of a preschool can help ease children’s fears and boost kids’ receptivity to learning that these professionals are needed to keep them healthy and happy.
We Partner with Make-A-Wish®
Some kids have a few more challenges than others, and they are some of the bravest and strongest children we’ve ever met. Through Make-A-Wish®, we’ve met kids facing critical illnesses with incredible strength and wisdom. To support families during difficult times, we’ve built a relationship with Make-A-Wish® in several cities throughout the U.S.
Make-A-Wish® is in the business of helping dreams come true. Whether a child wants to be a superhero, visit a faraway place, or meet a role model, Make-A-Wish® brings dreams to life. Granting a wish isn’t just about fulfilling childhood dreams. It also means honoring the families who tirelessly support their children by making hospital visits, administering medication, holding hands, and giving hope. A wish is an opportunity for a family to step away from the stress of illness and enjoy time together.
Wish Granting Send-Off Parties
We also get to meet Make-A-Wish® families in person by hosting send-off parties for wish recipients. The Gardner School has served as a launching point for some truly exciting adventures! We feel lucky to see joy on little faces as they learn that their deepest wishes will be fulfilled because of the generosity of others. It reminds us of the importance of what we do every day: supporting kids as they learn and grow.
Walk for Wishes
One of our favorite ways to support kids is by being a proud sponsor of Walk For Wishes, an annual Make-A-Wish® Foundation fundraiser. In recent years, we have sponsored Walk for Wishes events in and around Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana—all close to our school locations where TGS staff, students, and families can take an active part. In each location, it energizes us to see hundreds of people showing up to walk beside families and generously share their time, money, and passions.
