Through Dramatic Play, Children Prepare for the Real World A group of preschoolers playing pizza shop may seem like a simple afternoon of clean fun, but they’re engaging in a positive learning experience called dramatic (or pretend) play. The process of “pretending” builds skills in many essential developmental areas and offers proven benefits [...]
Parents get a lesson in Wildly Important Goals Our Elementary Academy of Leaders recently invited their parents to an after-school Student Led Conference in our classrooms. Dozens of elementary students wrote down and decorated their Wildly Important Goal, or WIG, with colorful crayons and construction paper. Those students proudly flaunted their artwork [...]
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families offer valuable tools for developing and sustaining a strong family culture in a turbulent world. Six mothers enrolled in Grace Place for Children and Families’ Bright Beginnings program participated in a workshop to learn the 7 Habits this month. No family is free from challenges, from its own [...]
Another Bright Beginning... César will start kindergarten in August. When he does, he won’t just be “kindergarten ready.” He is performing above average for his age in cognitive, literacy, and social/emotional skills. He will enter school for the first time already well-acclimated to a classroom environment. He will start with the ability to count [...]
Change Makers in Action... As technologies continue to emerge and evolve, digital literacy is becoming increasingly important both at home and in the workplace. In response to this growing demand, and at the request of our students, Grace Place launched a Digital Literacy course. The course had a similar beginning to Grace Place itself; [...]
“You’ve won the Jubilee Scholarship.” Five words that changed Karen Merillien and Marlen Hernandez’s lives forever. The Jubilee Scholarship, a four-year “full ride” to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), is offered exclusively to two Grace Place AP Leadership students each year. The scholarship includes all tuition costs, books, housing and a living [...]
MEET RICARDO When Ricardo started the Bright Beginnings program at Grace Place he barely spoke a word of English, not that you would know, because he barely spoke at all. "Ricardo was one of the shyest little boys I've ever met. He would cry every time we ventured out of the classroom [...]
Remembering Barbara Bush Barbara Bush’s philanthropy and advocacy has changed lives across the world. As a champion for literacy, she knew the boundless value in simply being able to read a book to your child, in being their first teacher. As we mourn the loss of this change maker, I wonder how many [...]
Grace Place had a special visitor recently when Will, the oldest sibling in the Alcius family, came to visit campus. Will, his brother Keith, and his sister Louise were some of the first students to attend Grace Place. Now, almost fifteen years later, their youngest brother Jordan is enrolled in the Academy of [...]
For the fourth consecutive year - the Community Foundation of Collier County and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation partnered to present Give Where You Live Collier. Grace Place was again selected as one of 38 nonprofits in Collier County to participate in this community-wide day of philanthropy. Over the past few years, the [...]