Students Benefit From ‘Lowe’s Heroes’
A “Heroes Grant” from Lowe’s Home Improvement transformed the modest exterior of PRDS into a spectacular outdoor environment which also allows for educational use.
“It is a remarkable gift made possible as a result of the strong relationship we have had with Lowe’s Piscataway store over the years through our Community-Based Instruction (CBI) program,” said PRDS Principal Phyllis DeLucia.
The improvements were designed so sections of the environment could function as educational space, including: a sensory garden so students could be immersed in scents textures and colors of plants, flowers and other elements. Additionally, the flower and garden beds were designed at varying heights to allow for wheelchair accessibility. A large patio was built, park benches donated, with a benchless picnic table also installed to accommodate wheelchairs. Other features included: a vegetable garden, an oval garden bed with flowers surrounding the school sign; flowering shrubs, and assorted annuals and perennial flowers.
“We were excited to work with this group of educators who put their students at the center of everything they do,” said NY/NJ Metro Market Director Patrick Grant.
In total, over 100 employees from nine Lowe’s stores in New Jersey and New York spent five days at PRDS working on the landscaping project.
