Garlough Environmental Magnet School PTO

Garlough Environmental Magnet School (GEMS) PTO

Garlough Environmental Magnet School is a public magnet school that is part of School District 197, which serves the communities of Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, Mendota and SunFish Lake. Our school serves students in kindergarten through grade four. We are a Title One school with a diverse population and multicultural learning environment.

At GEMS, environmental learning is at the core of everything we do. Through nature-based experiences, we support and enhance children's intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. Students explore nature in Garlough Woods and at Dodge Nature Center as they gain a sense of wonder, respect, and care for the natural world.

• We have more than 19 outdoor learning areas, as well as access to the Dodge Nature Center, which provides an additional 320 acres of incredible outdoor space.

• Students participate in scientific observation and data collection, then develop hands-on projects to build reading, math, science, and technology skills.

The GEMS Parent Teacher Organization helps to support the educational and program efforts at Garlough by providing volunteer support at events, funding enrichment opportunities, support for the pets in the classroom program, field trip scholarships, the iNature magnet program and many other academic funding support initatives that strengthen the learning experiences for each Garlough student.