More than 200 parents, alumni, alumni parents, faculty, staff and friends gathered Friday at Smylie Brothers Brewing Co. in Evanston to support Baker Demonstration School at its annual Baker Benefit, raising more than $140,000 in gross revenue to help fund an upcoming campus renovation.
Architects from the Lakota Group described the project for guests. It will overhaul the school’s outdoor learning spaces to extend child-centered teaching and learning beyond the classroom walls.
Lee Nagan and Doug Haight, both of Evanston, were among those getting a look at the renovation plans.
Baker teachers already take learning outside whenever possible, but school officials say having outdoor learning spaces on par with the classroom environments will open previously untapped opportunities for hands-on learning and exploration.