Lake County Gazette

Lake Forest School District 67 announced that a Spirit of 67 grant enabled Gardening 2 Grow to conduct a gardening workshop for Deer Path Middle School sixth graders. The workshop, led by horticulturist Lisa Hilgenberg, was themed "Growing Our Food: From Start to Finish." This announcement was made in a Facebook post on April 1.

Gardening 2 Grow (G2G) is committed to enhancing student wellness through the use of plants, nature, and partnerships to create engaging educational spaces in schools. Their vision is to promote whole-body wellness through education. The organization encourages parental involvement and supports garden clubs across District 67 schools, offering opportunities for students and families to engage with nature. For more information or to join, interested parties are encouraged to contact G2G President Lisa Walsh or the respective garden club coordinators at each school. G2G also welcomes donations to further support its initiatives, according to Lake Forest Schools.

The Spirit of 67 Foundation, established in 1985, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding educational enrichment in Lake Forest School District 67. It supports Cherokee, Everett, Sheridan Elementary Schools, and Deer Path Middle School by raising funds through donations and events to provide educational and cultural opportunities beyond standard school funding. Each year, staff, students, and community members submit grant applications that are reviewed and awarded in April. Since its founding, the Spirit of 67 has funded nearly 800 grants totaling over $6.5 million, enhancing student experiences in language arts, fine arts, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), wellness, and more through innovative programs and resources.

Lake Forest Schools District 67's post | X

Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 serves approximately 1,600 students from Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. The district includes three elementary schools—Cherokee Elementary (K-4), Everett Elementary (K-4), and Sheridan Elementary (Pre-K-4)—as well as Deer Path Middle School (grades five through eight). Known for its innovative instructional practices, District 67 emphasizes inclusive education and personalized learning experiences that support academic, social-emotional development within a dynamic and safe learning environment.