Located in Takoma Park, Maryland, Rolling Terrace Elementary School is a magnet school that had a big dream. They wanted to turn their inner courtyard into a thriving outdoor classroom where students could learn outside, in the fresh air, where their creativity could run wild surrounded by a vibrant setting.
But to bring that vision to life, the school needed assistance. Looking for a partner that could provide some of the materials that they could then DIY into a beautiful space, the Rolling Terrace Elementary Parent Teacher Association came to Community Forklift. They applied for and received a Community Building Blocks Grant in 2023.
This project was the first part of a larger beautification initiative around the school, and the inner courtyard was a main focus. They hoped to transform it into an outdoor classroom, and they were fortunate to receive convertible picnic tables through another grant. Their ultimate dream is a space with native plants, an edible garden, and a rain catchment system. This will function as an all-season, all-weather space where children can get a much-needed change of scenery and sunshine, while learning more about the world and nature around them.
When the Rolling Terrace Elementary School PTA came to Community Forklift through the CBB, their immediate goal was to find planters for the tables, and they found 15 large plastic garden planters. These planters enabled them to kick off their project and begin building a garden that will teach children through action. Students won’t just learn about germination, pollination, and plant processes in a science classroom — they’ll learn by doing. The school is instilling a lifelong appreciation for native plants, ecology, and gardening early in these students’ educational career.
“The Community Forklift staff was very helpful and invested in seeing our project to fruition. As a 501(c)(3) that lost half its funding over the past couple years, receiving the CBB grant made a project that was financially unachievable come to life. Having planters and starting the beautification process of an outdoor learning space became a bright spot for teachers, students, and parents,” said Stephanie Powell, PTA President.
Isabelle Mensah, Directora/Principal of Rolling Terrace Elementary School, added, “We are tremendously grateful for the partnership with Community Forklift. Through their generous CBB grant, Rolling Terrace Elementary School has enhanced the physical aspects of our outdoor classroom. The partnership with Community Forklift represents a commitment to create inspiring and sustainable spaces for our students, staff, and the entire community that aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Thanks to this CBB grant, Rolling Terrace Elementary School was able to choose what they needed to bring their outdoor classroom dreams to life. These grants help community groups and nonprofits throughout the DC metro area use warehouse credit to make an impact. If your group or organization has a project that could benefit from a CBB grant, you can find information on applying here. Tell us about your dreams and how we can help bring those to life. We can’t wait to hear about the work that you’re doing to make your community a better place.
“The Community Forklift staff was very helpful and invested in seeing our project to fruition. As a 501(c)(3) that lost half its funding over the past couple years, receiving the CBB grant made a project that was financially unachievable come to life. “
Every time you donate or shop at Community Forklift, you’re helping us lift up local communities through reuse. We turn the construction waste stream into a resource stream for communities in the DC region – by keeping perfectly good items out of the landfill, preserving historical materials, providing low-cost building supplies, and creating local green jobs.
