A "Green" Grauer School Installs High-Tech Teaching Kitchen

RANCHO SANTA FE, CA, September 17, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Grauer School announces the installation of a $200,000 technologically advanced teaching kitchen. The "next generation" facility ties into the school's complete, campus-wide "farm to table" program. Provided by Fixtures Living, Inc. and made possible through the generous donation from a local philanthropist, the kitchen was unveiled during the opening week of school. The kitchen is a part of the "Green Grauer" initiative. a program that encompasses a multi-dimensional reorrientation of the school campus and programming in light of need for appropriate technology and curriculum. In collaboration, the school has launched a new, high school environmental science offering along with an alternative parent association called "Green Grauer Parents." The forward-thinking "farm-to-table" concept in a suburban setting will accommodate up to 12 students at one time.

The new facility has cable TV access with wireless (e.g., iPad and iPhone) connectivity for teacher and student multimedia presentations. According to installer Wes Wilmers of Master Crafts Home Enternainment, "The latest technology is incorporated into a functional teaching kitchen, therefore creating a multi-dimensional teaching environment." General contractor of the project, Mike Martin of Davidson Construction Company, Inc. notes," We installed a KitchenAid French door refridgerator, a Capital Cooking eight-burner range with large oven underneath and a commercial Miele Professional Series dishwasher that can wash dishes in 20 minutes. There are two stainless steel sinks (one for ADA purposes) and custom cabinets with maple-lined drawers. A particularly noteworthy feature is the addition of two work islands with portable induction cooktops, which will allow teachers to work with students one-on-one or in small groups."

Head of School Dr. Grauer describes the class stucture, "Virtually all of the teachers will incorporate cooking classes into their curriculum, including Chemisty, Mathmatics, World Religions, History and Health classes. Clubs are already starting up, and parents and students will be treated to demonstrations and lessons from celebrity chefs. Fundamentally, we want to demonstrate to our students that fresh food grows out of the ground, something that seems to be forgotton by the recent generations. We'll harvest produce from our green house and orchard for the classes that will provide herbs, avocado's, figs, tomatoes, peppers, carrotts, strawberries, grapes, organes, apples, limes and lemons. The orchards will also yield healthy snacks for students at each grade level. This project, drawing from the community garden concept, exemplifies the future of education in important respects."

The Grauer School is an independent grades 6 -12 college preparatory day school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the California Association of Independent Schools. The school serves as a successful educational model for hundreds of private schools around the world through the Coalition of Small Preparatory Schools established by Founding Head, Dr. Stuart Grauer. To learn more about The Grauer School experience, visit http://www.grauerschool.com or call 760/944-6777.