It’s hard to believe that our summer is coming to an end and that the teachers are already preparing for the 2026/27 school year. We have had a marvelous time this summer with our preschool kids and the Grow to Know Kids school-age program. It is such a joy to watch 230 students move throughout the building during the day, knowing that they are learning about the love of Jesus and having a fun, safe summer.
Summer is such an eventful time for Grow to Know. Our teachers work very hard to make summer look different than the regular school year for our students. Field trips happened every week, with students going swimming, hiking, to the Springfield Library Center, Rutledge Willson Farms, Springfield Underground, and the Discovery Center. Students also visited the Fireworks Supermarket, where they took a tour and participated in a fireworks safety class.
So many activities also happened here on the Schweitzer campus; it was hard to keep up with everything. We celebrated Christmas in July. The Springfield Regional Arts Council came and did an Art Heist with the students. One week was dedicated to community helpers. There were firetrucks, police cars, and an ambulance. During this week, students were challenged to bring in canned food items for the Flourish food pantry. Just for fun and to help promote the drive, for every can a student brought in, they would get a ticket to vote for a teacher (or even me!) to get pied in the face. I know some of you reading this are hoping I was the one with pie on my face.
My favorite days of summer had to be the many water days that our wonderful staff planned for the students. Even our smallest babies were out on water mats and in baby pools. Everyone, from babies to 5th graders, loves a good water day. Who can pass up shooting water at their best friend?
We are sad to see all of our school-age friends leave us for the school year, but we are excited for all the new and exciting things happening at GTK this fall!