Tots dig new playground at Hanover Park school

Greenbrook Montessori School in Hanover Park had a grand opening of sorts - a playground grand opening.

Children and teachers officially opened a new sandbox and clubhouse Aug. 21 in the school's backyard. Both were a gift from the school's director Deborah LaPorte of Elgin.

To celebrate the event, school parents, children and teachers attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Children at the event placed their names in a box to be chosen to cut the ribbon and officially open both the sandbox and clubhouse. William Witak, 2, of Streamwood cut the sandbox ribbon, and Coral Hebert, 3, of Bartlett cut the clubhouse ribbon.

After the ceremony, kids dug in the sandbox for buried treasures and played in the park. And families brought blankets and picnicked in the yard.

"We are very proud of how our school is growing in leaps and bounds," said Kimberly Surber, a teacher at the school.

Greenbrook Montessori School, 1675 Greenbrook Blvd., Hanover Park, has been open for two years and serves children from 15 months to 6 years old.