Preschool students and staff gathered last week at The Gardner School of Herndon to celebrate the school’s 10th anniversary with a snapshot in time.
At the Oct. 16 celebration, students created a time capsule with objects memorializing their time at the school with friends and teachers. The capsule contains gold coins symbolizing a memory or milestone each student gained during the school year so far.
The container was buried in a patch of dirt near the school’s playground and will be reopened in 2034.
“Wherever life’s adventures take them, we’ve promised to invite all our students back to visit when it’s time to uncover the capsule,” Zena Wanamaker, the school’s executive director, said. “Our mission is to help our students develop a lifelong love of learning, and that’s why we wanted to mark this special moment with something that reminds them of all the joy and friendships they’ve experienced here. In years to come, we hope these memories will inspire them to reflect on their journey and remember the sense of community and curiosity that shaped their early years.”
About 45 preschool and kindergarten students also created pictures, banners and maracas to celebrate the 10th anniversary.
Located at 2655 West Ox Road, The Gardner School of Herndon provides childcare and early childhood education programs for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old. It’s fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The Gardner School was established in 2004 and blends “traditional and Montessori styles of learning,” according to its website. Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, the company has five locations in the D.C. area, including schools in Arlington, Ashburn, D.C. and Manassas.
