Little Bluestem

Community Partnerships

Little Bluestem began in 2016 as a collaboration between three homeschooling moms:

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Renee Schwartz, M.S. Curriculum & Instruction

professional curriculum writer and homeschool consultant

http://www.waldorfcurriculum.com

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Sheila King, postpartum doula

http://www.mothersloveservices.com

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Colleen Price, early childhood educator

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Our group has since grown and expanded and we are proud to have relationships with many organizations in our community:

Ana&Mei

Boulder and Bloom

Carbondale Public Library

Dayempur Farm Center for Sustainable Living

Effingham Public Library

For Kids' Sake Art Auction

Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation

HackSI

Language and Literacy Solutions

Libre Unschool

Little River Research & Design

Southern Illinois Suzuki Strings

Sustainable Living Film Series

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We have visits from a wide variety of special guests, ranging from artists to beekeepers, computer programmers to microbiologists. 

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Students also participate in and enjoy local events such as:

All Species Puppet Parade, Turley Park

Dymaxion Days, Buckminster Fuller Dome Home

Edible Book Festival, Morris Library, SIUC

Logan Days, General John A. Logan Museum

Pumpkin Glow Hike, Oakland Nature Preserve

Sandwiches & Strings, Artspace 304

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Some of our field trip destinations have included:

Alto Clay Works, Alto Pass IL

Bandy's Pumpkin Patch, Johnston City IL

Bell Smith Springs, Shawnee National Forest

Cache River State Natural Area, Belknap IL

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville IL 

Carbondale Fire Station, Carbondale IL

Giant City State Park, Makanda IL

Greer's Lost Creek Blueberries, Carbondale IL

Inspiration Point, Shawnee National Forest

Labyrinth Peace Park, Carbondale IL

Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis MO

Neighborhood Co-op Grocery, Carbondale IL

Purdy School, Harrison-Bruce Historical Village

Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch, Makanda IL

Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis MO

The Science Center, Carbondale IL

Shawnee Hills Lavender, Cobden IL

Trail of Tears State Park, Cape Girardeau MO

Tower Rock, Grand Tower IL

The Yarn Shoppe, Herrin IL

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We are honored to have visited the Southern Illinois University campus and met with distinguished faculty:

Dr. Karla Gage

Dr. Scott Hamilton-Brehm

Dr. Sedonia Sipes