The Gathering Space

Help finish the indoor-outdoor 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. The basics are DONE!
✓ stock the serving kitchen with a refrigerator, serving station, and rolling carts for lunch time. The basics are DONE!
purchase outdoor furniture and hardscape the courtyard perimeter to extend the classroom and learning outside!

Join us as you are able! Levels offer options like these:

$25 / 1 sq ft courtyard hardscape
$125 / 1 “seat” on a picnic table
$500 / 10 sq ft courtyard hardscape
$1,000 / picnic table
$15,000 / safety gate into courtyard (dream wish)

Our parent-teacher fellowship has taken the lead with a gift from their funds for interior furnishings and providing planning support for this phase.

Finishing PTF Goal
outdoor spaces

Color Fun Run

The color fun run in October 2024 for all ages helped fund the parent-led campaign to furnish the gathering space!

The Gathering Space

This dedicated age-appropriate addition for K-5 gathering will enhance learning, foster connection, and support emotional and social well-being. Thanks to the generosity of over 200 donors, we have finished designs with the Gaines Group Architects, signed a contract with Herr & Co., and construction is in the final phases!

We can't wait to gather together in this space 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, activities with students from the upper school, 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.