Lowe's Foundation provided a $3,800 grant to Riveroaks Elementary School, which allowed construction of a new outdoor Reading Garden at the school recently by community volunteers.  To celebrate, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on April 8.  At the event, the teacher who received the grant, Pre-K teacher Candace Landry, read the first story, "The Big Hungry Bear" by Don and Audrey Wood, to her students.

Pictured at the ribbon-cutting ceremony are:  (left to right) Coronda Raven, D.R. Stillwell, Patricia Bell, Landry, Principal Shilonda Shamlin, Hope Dawan, Bryan Horridge, Tyrone Green, Joan Parsons, Donald Jackson. 

The outdoor learning area was created on April 2 and 3 with the help of more than 60 volunteers.  Representatives from the following organizations helped with the project:  Istrouma Baptist Church, Forum 35, Lowe's, ARAMARK, members of the surrounding community, the school's students and their families and the Riveroaks faculty and staff and their families.

For more information, call Principal Shilonda Shamlin at (225) 275-4600.