NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 10, 2013, The Cove School in Northbrook, which serves children with learning disabilities from 60 school districts throughout the Chicagoland area, and Astellas USA Foundation will host a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. to celebrate a new track and field that was funded with a grant from the Astellas USA Foundation.  

The new athletic field is located directly behind The Cove School building and has transformed a rocky, unusable preexisting field into an exciting outdoor activity area. The Astellas USA Foundation approved a grant last September to fund the field, which includes an underground irrigation system, rubberized running track and half-sized soccer field.  A second grant was approved this spring to enhance the field with a baseball backstop, bleachers and outdoor pavilion. Construction for the second phase will begin in fall 2013.

"At Cove, we see firsthand that students have better concentration, attention span and overall performance when they obtain a consistent exercise regimen. Yet, access to an effective fitness program is a constant challenge for many of our students and their families," Dr. Sally Sover, Executive Director of The Cove School remarked. "The new track and field will enable our students to participate in a wide range of outdoor activities which would not be possible without this important addition. We are grateful to the Astellas USA Foundation for making a difference in the health and well-being of our students."

"Astellas has a longstanding commitment to education, health and wellness, which is why we're thrilled to be partnering with The Cove School to provide a place for the kids to exercise and play outside," said Collette Taylor, president of the Astellas USA Foundation.

Cove Summer School students, teachers, administrators, members of the Board of Trustees, as well as representatives from the Astellas USA Foundation will be present on July 10^th to cut the ribbon and celebrate the official opening of the new track and field. Media is invited to attend the event.

About Astellas USA Foundation
The Astellas USA Foundation is a private Foundation that awards cash grants to support philanthropic initiatives that are aligned with Astellas' business strategy. Astellas Pharma Inc., located in Tokyo, Japan, is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals. For more information about Astellas USA Foundation, please visit the foundation's website at http://www.astellasusafoundation.org.  

About Cove
The Cove School is a private K-12 day school located in Northbrook, Illinois that educates students with learning disabilities from districts throughout the entire Chicagoland area. Cove provides a vital service to all public schools challenged with finding the appropriate educational setting for students to meet their complex learning needs. Cove was founded in 1947 and provides children from diverse backgrounds with an individualized educational experience in a safe and respectful environment. Cove's approach to learning creates an environment for students to build the self-confidence necessary to make a successful transition to their community schools, or to make post-secondary choices.

SOURCE Astellas USA Foundation