Montessori Kinder has entered the “Power a Bright Future” contest for a $50,000 grant from Clorox.

Lauren Hosie, whose three children attend the school, brought the grant opportunity to Brigitta Hoeferle, director and founder of Montessori Kinder. Then with Hoeferle’s assistance, Hosie wrote a the grant for the contest. The grant application was accepted and entered into the contest.

“They didn’t want a whole essay of what we wanted to do,” Hoeferle said, commenting that the grant was about three paragraphs long.

In addition to the $50,000 grant, Clorox is also giving away three $20,000 grants, according to the “Power a Brighter Future” contest website. The winner will be decided by popular vote at http://www.powerabrightfuture.com.

Hoeferle said the website only requires a name and e-mail to register. To vote, click on “vote now” on the contest homepage, search for Montessori Kinder, then click “vote for this nomination.” a pop up screen will then require registration or log in information. Montessori Kinder is currently ranked 432nd with 321 votes.

If it wins one of the grants, the school will use the money to buy supplies and soil for a garden at their new location at Spring Creek. Although 3.2 acres have been purchased, the school does not have a projected move date.

At the current location students have planted and maintained a three row garden of fruit, vegetables and flowers. At the new location the garden would be planted around the perimeter of the building allowing it to be 10 times bigger than the current one.

“The garden is part of our outdoor classroom,” Hoeferle said.

The garden is used to teach botany, zoology, practical life skills and math. Hoeferle said the garden allows students to see the full cycle of a garden , and makes them more interested in eating fruits and vegetables.

Montessori Kinder is a school for preschool though third grade aged students, and follows the Montessori approach to education.