Daycroft Montessori School of Ann Arbor Pitches In to Help Rebuild Ypsilanti's Rutherford Pool

Daycroft Montessori School (www.daycroft.org) of Ann Arbor has pledged $1,000 to help rebuild the popular Rutherford Pool at Recreation Park in Ypsilanti.

As acknowledgement for Daycroft's generous sponsorship, a sign promoting the school will be posted on the rebuilt pool's perimeter fence for two years. The pool is expected to reopen later this year, in time for summer swimming.

Rutherford Pool, at 975 Congress St., has served community members since its original construction in 1972. The pool hosts everything from children's swimming lessons to water exercise classes for senior citizens.

General swim, offered on summer afternoons, attracts hundreds of swimmers daily. The YMCA and other area youth organizations regularly use the pool for summer programming. Family swim, on summer evenings, averages about 50 participating families each day.

Rutherford Pool is a classic L-shaped pool with depth ranging from 1 foot to 4 feet 6 inches. A slide plunges swimmers into 4 feet of water. The pool also has a ramp for wheelchair access.

Ten years ago, the City of Ypsilanti defunded recreation programs, but through the efforts of Friends of Rutherford Pool and other volunteers, the pool has remained open for community members to use and enjoy.

Friends of Rutherford Pool have spearheaded the campaign to rebuild the pool. Supporters have contributed just shy of the targeted $940,000 – close enough to begin rebuilding the pool in time for the 2013 season.

The State of Michigan's Department of Natural Resources has provided a $300,000 grant. Major supporters include Washtenaw County, James A. Faith Knight Foundation, Buhr Family Foundation, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s Youth Council, the City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, Ypsilanti Community Fund, Bank of Ann Arbor, Gene Butman Ford, Cueter Chrysler, University Bank, and others.

Learn more about Friend of Rutherford Pool and the pool rebuilding campaign at www.forpool.org.

About Daycroft Montessori School

Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive education. This helps Daycroft accomplish its mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their potential.

Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County’s leading private schools. It began as a preschool program in 1968. Daycroft has since grown to include full-day and half-day kindergarten programs, a Young 5 program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.

Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org). It is a member of the Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS; www.aims-mi.org), the American Montessori Society (AMS; www.amshq.org), and the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association (NAMTA; www.montessori-namta.org).

Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.  Phone: (734) 930-0333.

Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft’s administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.  Phone: (734) 662-3335.