5X's Child Development Center was selected by the Portage Park District for “Stewarding Future Environmentalists” at its 19th Annual Portage County 
Environmental Conservation Awards Benefit Dinner. The dinner will be held on Saturday, May 6, at the Kent American Legion Post 496.
The Child Development Center was chosen for this award because the children, ages 18 months through kindergarten, focus on caring for the Earth through gardening, composting, recycling and cleaning up litter.
“Caring for our environment, including plants and animals, is nurtured at our school,” says Terri Cardy, the center’s outdoor educator. “The children recently created a sign that will be placed along the Portage County Hike and Bike Trail stating, ‘Please don’t throw litter outside. It can hurt the animals.’”
Cardy is proud to accept this award for the school.
“We have worked diligently to help our children have a caring outlook about the planet they live on and a respect for all life. This is something that is very evident when you are at our school. Our belief is that this sense of stewardship is encouraged at a young age and will continue throughout life,” she says.