GRCC Tree in the Running to be 2018 Mayor’s Tree of the Year

The Hackberry tree at the Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory playground is in the running to be the 2018 Mayor’s Tree of the Year! There are five trees in the running. The photo that has the most likes by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 7^th, will be the winner.

People can vote for GRCC’s tree by logging onto their Facebook accounts and “liking” the tree – it is the same image as the photo above.

An excerpt from the voting page for our tree: “This Hackberry tree has become a symbol of survival and strength for all people connected with the newly built Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory on the campus of Grand Rapids Community College… The Hackberry has become the focal point of their nature based playground plan from a design aspect and from its usefulness in children’s play. The center hopes to enjoy many more decades in the shade of this tree!”

Please encourage people to vote before 5 p.m. tomorrow – how exciting to have a GRCC tree in the running for the 2018 Mayor’s Tree of the Year!

Facebook voting link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=ms.c.eJwzNDA0NbU0sDS1NDE0M7AwNdIzRIgYmJmii1iii5hYoIuYGoDMAQAtgRIa.bps.a.10155909593800852&type=1&__tn__=HH-R

Nugent Builders Volunteers Work On Preschool Playground

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The Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory’s playground is shaping up to be a true community project, with expert builders sharing their time and expertise to make it a special place.

A team from Nugent Builders was the latest to spend a day on the playground, volunteering to design and build mud tables, fences, and other features. Nugent Builders is a local, family-owned business.

“It’s all about helping kids,” said Mike Miner, the company’s director of commercial construction.

Miner said CEOs Rick and Carol Nugent believe in the importance of community service, and the company has strong ties to Grand Rapids Community College.  Residential Construction Administrator Karen McCambridge and Commercial Superintendent Ben Nugent are GRCC grads – and Karen also is an adjunct professor.

Recap: Michigan map party at the Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory

On Friday, June 15, GRCC family and friends celebrated the arrival of a ‘Michigan and the Great Lakes’ map in our Preschool Outdoor Learning Environment at the Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory.  Participants, including Dr. Pink, brought their favorite rock to help leave a permanent mark on GRCC’s new map.

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The event also celebrated the retirements of learning lab instructors Cheryl Botham, Paula Kunst, and Penny Folsom, who have a combined 99 years of GRCC teaching experience!  Happy retirement, Cheryl, Paula, and Penny!

Local companies help build preschool playground

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A big thank you to volunteers from Elevator Service Inc. and Rockford Construction who helped GRCC staff in building the Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory’s Outdoor Learning Environment on Thursday. Elevator Service President Nate McFadden said Grand Rapids has been wonderful to him and his company, and looks for ways to give back. GRCC Senior Project manager Scott Martin said other companies contributing to the project in recent months include Nugent Builders, Circuit Electric, and JBK Construction. The center on June 15 will celebrate the careers of three retiring lab instructors and add finishing touches to the learning environment’s Michigan map by allowing guests to bring a favorite stone and place it in the map’s slow-curing concrete.