Attendees at the H.H. Garnet Elementary School Community School Fair in Chestertown Friday, May 6 help paint a mural on the converted bus that husband-and-wife creative team Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr will take cross-country with their family later this year on a book donation tour.
The gym at H.H. Garnet Elementary School was turned into a hub for community resources Friday evening, May 6.
The occasion was a Community School Fair that saw nearly 30 organizations on hand to provide attendees with information about services available for them.
This was the inaugural run of what is planned to become an annual event at the elementary school in Chestertown.
Under the state's comprehensive education program the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, Garnet Elementary School has been designated a Community School. Rock Hall Elementary school also is a Community School under the Blueprint.
That designation allocates additional resources to the school.
Florence Terrill is the Community School coordinator at Garnet Elementary School.
She was thrilled with the turnout May 6, looking at the number of organizations on hand and the families who came out.
"The First Annual Community School Fair at Garnet Elementary was a great success," Terrill said. "Garnet is in the process of becoming a Community School and we are excited about this opportunity and the possibilities of these local partnerships."
Among the highlights of the fair were author Matthew Swanson and illustrator Robbi Behr. They brought their converted school bus to the fair for attendees to help paint a mural on it.
Later this year, they will pack up their family and head out on a cross-country "Busload of Books" tour to giveaway copies of their books to schools in all 50 states.
There were more fun activities at the fair and prize giveaways from the Garnet Parent Teacher association and Judy Center early childhood education program. Children could even use a stationary bicycle from 4-H to make smoothies.
"The kids enjoyed painting the bus, making smoothies with the bicycle from 4-H, face painting, crafts, free plants and prizes," Terrill said. "Families went home with bags full of resources from our local agencies."
