Preschoolers at The Gardner School in Northbrook know what they’ll be doing in 10 years. Unearthing a time capsule buried on the school’s property.
The Gardner School of Glenview-Northbrook celebrated the school’s 10th anniversary on February 23 filling a time capsule that will be buried outside the school in the 2300 block of Waterview Drive, said Allison Deutsch, executive school director. Fifty students created “mementos” reflecting their favorite memories and experiences to place inside the time capsule, Deutsch explained, adding that a birthday celebration for TGS students and families followed the time capsule burial.
“Their collection of questionnaires, toys, and photos will remain undisturbed for the next ten years until the time capsule is uncovered to celebrate the school’s 20th anniversary,” she said.
In reflection on their time spent at TGS, the children were asked to fill out a questionnaire placed inside the capsule that featured students’ favorite TV shows, what they wanted to be when they grew up, favorite books, movies, and toys. It also included the best things about this year, family photos, and toys that they really like including Spiderman stickers and friendship bracelets, said Deutsch.
“Not only were these questionnaires placed inside the capsule, but this exercise was also part of their show and tell in class,” she said. “All students were able to read their questionnaire out loud to their class and presented their items and family photos.”
“The students were all very excited to participate in the activities surrounding this event and were curious to learn more about the concept of a time capsule,” she added.
She also said that in 10 years students and parents from this year’s graduating preschool class will be invited back to TGS Glenview-Northbrook for the opening of the time capsule along with PreK students at the school in 2034.
The ground is still frozen so the time capsule will not be buried until the week of May 27, the same week as the 2024 Pre-K class graduation.
“They had a great time imagining what they and their classmates would be doing a decade from now, as well as considering the future preschoolers who would be uncovering the time capsule,” Deutsch said. “Overall, it was a really fun and engaging experience for everyone.”
Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
