The Dominion Education Partnership Foundation provides elementary and secondary educators with the tools they need to revitalize math and science programs through the study of energy and the environment.  This year the Foundation awarded a total of $300,000 to 50 educational organizations.  The evaluation process was extremely competitive; 1.4 million dollars in requests were submitted from a nine state region.   Among these applicants was a grant submitted by four Crestwood teachers.  Mrs. Krupar (3^rd grade), Ms. Viers (2^nd grade), Miss Harr (1^st grade), and Mrs. Curfman (kindergarten) were awarded $9,800 to create an environmental science program. 

With the funds provided by this grant, the students of Crestwood Primary and Intermediate Schools will be Nature Detectives searching for the secret life of our schoolyard’s natural environment.  They will explore the meadows, soccer fields, gardens, tree lines, and bio-swale wetland in an effort to immerse the students in nature and help them to reach their full learning potential.  In each grade level, students will be expanding on the previous year’s information and building upon the seeds of knowledge planted in their minds.

This program is championed and enhanced by the help of many community members.  The Crestwood district has accepted the progressive with support and a monetary commitment.  The Crestwood Primary PTO, Matt and Roxanne Sorrick from the Hiram College Education Department, Jennifer White from the Portage County Soil and Water Conservation Department, Norman Park, former president of Cuyahoga Valley Archeological Society and curator of the Mantua Historical Society, and Joan Martin of Brugmann Sand and Gravel are all contributing to make this program a success.  As the program evolves, there is hope that the community interest grows.