Palos School District 118 Receives $5k Palos Park Woman’s Club Grant

Palos School District 118 has received a $5,000 grant from the Palos Park Woman’s Club to establish an indoor hydroponic garden program at the District’s Central Office building.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Scarsella said that he and the Board of Education were thrilled when they learned that the project had been chosen to receive a grant.

Subscribe

“I know all of the good work that the Palos Park Woman’s Club does for our community, and I can’t thank them enough for supporting our project,” he said.

The grant funds, he said, will help the District establish a program that will teach students how to grow fresh produce using a hydroponic system at the District’s Central Office building. The produce harvested will be donated to local food pantries. He noted that in addition to increasing access to healthy foods for families in need, the project aims to build student awareness of food insecurity in Palos Township and develop practical life skills.

“This initiative will provide students with hands-on learning experiences in sustainability, nutrition, and civic responsibility,” he added.

The new program is part of District 118’s re-envisioning for the building ahead of its 100-year anniversary in 2028.

Sue Peterson, Steering Committee Chair for the Palos Park Woman’s Club, said that the volunteer organization received 11 grant proposals this year, ultimately choosing four.

“There were a number of smaller projects that we were anxious to fund, so we divided our award between four different organizations,” she said noting that the largest grant award went to District 118.

Pictured: (from left to right): Aleta Rettker, Megan Wenstrup, Sue Peterson, Palos 118 School Board President Pam Paris, Ann Oliver, Ronette McCarthy, and Palos 118 Superintendent Dr. Anthony Scarsella.