Gardens For Grade School Grants: Helping North Potomac Schools Start the Year Fresh

The first day of school comes with a special kind of energy—kids carrying brand new backpacks, parents juggling first-day photos, and teachers ready to welcome their students. At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we believe the outside of a school should reflect that same sense of excitement. That’s exactly why, for the seventh year in a row, we launched our Gardens For Grade School Grants program.

This year we partnered with Dufief Elementary School and Travilah Elementary School in North Potomac, MD. In the week leading up to that all-important first day, our crew was out there trimming, weeding, pruning, and spreading fresh mulch. By the time we were done, entrances that had been tired and overgrown looked neat, colorful, and welcoming—ready for hundreds of students to come bounding in.

Why We Do It

For us, this program isn’t just about pulling weeds. It’s about pride, atmosphere, and setting the tone for learning. As Bruce Allentuck, our president, put it:

“Providing our Gardens For Grade School Grants is an important part of our goal to be an active member of our community and a way for us to live up to our mission. It is a proven fact that when schools look better, students learn better. This is our community and we understand how we can be a positive influence in it.”

That belief is at the heart of our work. Landscaping may seem like just plants and mulch to some, but to us it’s about improving lives through the spaces people live, learn, and play in.

Community Minded in Action

One of our company values is being Community Minded, and nothing brings that to life more than this program. Each year, our team looks forward to giving their time and skills to a local school. It’s a chance to give back, connect with the neighborhoods we serve, and remind ourselves why we started this company in the first place.

Seven Years Strong—and Growing

Seven years ago, Gardens For Grade School Grants began as a simple idea: use what we do best to give local students and teachers a better place to start the year. Over time, it’s become a tradition we cherish. The thank-yous from principals, the smiles from kids walking up to a refreshed front entrance, and the buzz from parents on that first day make it all worthwhile.

We know that looking after our community means more than just building beautiful backyards. It’s about making a difference wherever we can—whether that’s at home, in the neighborhood, or at the schools shaping our next generation.

And next year? We’ll be back out there again, shovels and wheelbarrows in hand, making sure another school starts the year fresh.