The Gathering Space
Help furnish the Gathering Space!
A "Family Room" for the EMS community.
- furnish the gathering space with tables, chairs, and audio visual equipment for lunch, events, and special meals
- stock the serving kitchen with a refrigerator, serving station, and rolling carts for lunch time
- purchase outdoor furniture to extend the classroom and learning outside!
Fun Run & 5K! Saturday, May 18
- Join us for a fun run for ages 12 and under, and color run 5K to help fund the parent-lead campaign to furnish the gathering space! Registration link coming soon.
The Gathering Space
Thanks to the generosity of over 200 donors, we have finished designs with the Gaines Group Architects and start construction for the addition in May! This new dedicated age-appropriate space for K-5 gathering will enhance learning, foster connection, and support emotional and social well-being.
During school hours, we gather to:
- celebrate during weekly gatherings where we sing, pray, and learn about Jesus. Share lunch, holidays, and special meals. Enjoy the annual Dessert Theater.
- serve by collecting donations, knotting comforters, and create gifts. Host friends and guests. Support our school during the annual Book Fair. Offer the community a space for facility rentals.
- learn to read together, see each others’ science projects, and sign our annual peace pledge. For teacher/parent meetings, 1:1 tutoring, and parent planning meetings. Play during after school care, PE, and indoor-outdoor events.
A "Family Room"
Our elementary school is thriving in our beautiful home. And yet, it is missing a "family room," a space large enough for the whole school community to come together. The Gathering Space -- an indoor/outdoor learning facility -- will fill that need.
Gathering is the “heart” of EMES. Coming together is key to our curriculum and school philosophy. It nurtures cross-grade relationships, builds trust, creates leadership opportunities, and enables us to care for one another.
The History
In December 2019, Eastern Mennonite Elementary School moved into a building adjacent to the school's upper building for grades 6-12. The beautifully renovated building is the elementary program's first dedicated and intentionally designed space since it opened in 2005!
Get Involved
Contact us to request updates, ask questions, or discuss how to get involved. Or make a cash gift today to help furnish the space! You can also learn about the many ways to give to EMS.
Paul Leaman
Head of School
leamanp@easternmennonite.org
540-236-6012
Trisha Blosser
Development Officer
blossert@easternmennonite.org
540-236-6024
Challenge met!
A generous alumni couple has offered a $1 million challenge toward the Gathering Space. Donors responded by successfully matching this total by September of 2023.
See results from the public launch of the campaign through the Great Community Give on April 19, 2023.