Raintree Students Raise Funds For World Bird Sanctuary

The following information was provided to Patch in a news release.

Preschoolers attending summer camp at Raintree Learning Community (Raintree) in Ballwin...helped the World Bird Sanctuary release a rehabilitated Cooper’s hawk back into its natural habitat as part of the Sanctuary’s Return to the Wild program.  The preschoolers and faculty of Raintree were responsible for raising funds necessary for the bird’s rehabilitation and release at the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Mo.

This summer, Raintree students spent time learning about and visiting the wild spaces of Missouri, and it was these experiences that inspired their decision to help the birds.  Through a series of fundraising efforts led by the children, including a yard sale featuring stuffed animals and books; a lemonade stand; and sales of original paintings of birds painted by the students, Raintree campers raised more than the $150 minimum donation to participate in the Return to the Wild program.  The youngest children of Raintree, the two and three year olds, named hawk Shooey, thus calling it the Save Shooey Project.

“We contacted the World Bird Sanctuary and Shaw Nature Reserve when, with the help of the children, it was decided that they would raise money to sponsor the rehabilitation and release of a wild bird back to the wilds of Missouri’s prairie,” said Brandi Cartwright, academic dean at Raintree.  “It is exciting for us to be part of this project and see the children come up with an idea and work to accomplish it, even at their young age.”

Raintree is only one of a few Reggio Emilia-inspired schools in the St. Louis area and when they move to their new, 11-acre wooded campus in Town and Country, Raintree will become the only Forest School in Missouri.  Developed in Northern Italy shortly after World War II by lifelong educator Loris Malaguzzi, the Reggio Emilia approach is based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum.  Forest Schools are a type of outdoor education that uses woods and forests as a means to build independence and self-esteem in young children. 

 “We are a school focused on guiding children to be members of their community, and it is part of our educational vision to help children learn that they have roles to play in society,” said Cartwright.   “Those roles include academic or mind-based contributions, creative and artistic contributions, innovation, and community service – many of which were activated with this program.” 

About World Bird Sanctuary

Sick and injured birds of prey that enter the World Bird Sanctuary hospital in Valley Park often need an area to be released into the wild once rehabilitated.  So began the Return to the Wild program, which gives area donors the opportunity to release a newly healed bird of prey back to the wild. 

About Raintree Learning Community

Raintree Learning Community is a private kindergarten and preschool that offers part-time and full-time educational programs for two year olds, preschoolers and kindergarteners, as well as before- and after-school care and a summer camp for children up to age six.  Raintree is only one of a few Reggio Emilia-inspired schools in the St. Louis area and when they move to their new, 11-acre wooded campus in Town and Country, Raintree will become the only Forest School in Missouri.  Raintree is also a co-founding institution behind the Gateway Children’s Nature Connection, a local coalition devoted to inspiring and educating children through nature.  For more information about the school go to: www.undertheraintree.org or call (636) 386-0900.