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June 24, 2012

Second district hopes new playground helps kids in long run

By Ryan Smith Meadville Tribune

MEADVILLE — Andrew Mook and Hope Fiely were just a couple of the bunch of Meadville kids who put hours of work in Saturday so other kids can get more out of their playtime next school year.

“This is 10 times what we used to have,” Mook, who’s entering 7th grade, said as he and Fiely (who’s entering 8th) looked over the result of the big, all-volunteer group’s effort: A brand-new playground at Second District Elementary School that was built between Friday and Saturday on the all-open space that’s previously served as the school’s play-yard.

“I feel great that the younger kids are going to have something like this,” said Mook, all smiles. “It’s great.”

The brightly-colored playground — which includes swing sets, a curving slide, a climbing wall and climbing area, balance “pods” and a round-about play area — was built by members of East End Parent-Teacher Organization and Playground Committee, Second District parents and teachers, current and former East End and Second District students and other community volunteers. But the effort leading up to the project’s completion was about two years in the making, according to organizers.

Prior to Crawford Central School District’s recent decision to close East End Elementary and move its students to Second District, the East End PTO had begun fundraising for the playground as a way to give the school’s students a place with unlimited access to play, according to project organizers. Raising approximately $36,000 for equipment and related materials, the committee held several school-based fundraisers over a two-year period, including two spring carnivals, two “Pennies for the Playground” contests, a “Kiss the Pig” contest and a car bash. The committee also sent letters out to area businesses seeking donations, and applied for — and was awarded — a $15,000 Let’s Play program grant from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and national nonprofit KaBOOM!

“We ran lots of fundraisers,” said teacher Melonie Courson, one of the project’s main organizers, “and we wrote letters, and we asked for donations — and we got a huge response from the community.”

The reason for that strong support, Courson and others said, is because parents, teachers, parents who are also teachers and others involved are all on the same page when it comes the value of such a project.

“I’m a 1st grade teacher who believes strongly in the value of play” as a key component of education, said Courson, and “I know (the new playground) will help our kids — socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. ... Studies show that this is true.”

And kids who will be enjoying the new playground agree.

Isaac Fiely, who will be starting 5th grade at Second District, said for him, recess is a daily opportunity to “use your (extra) energy, so you’re able to listen in school” and learn more effectively for the rest of the day. And now, with the new playground, the opportunities for play are “so much bigger,” he said.

“We never had a rock wall before — that’s good,” he added.

“We never had swings” either, “and I like to swing,” said Julia Mook, who’s entering 3rd grade at Second District.

The now-finished playground construction project involved the help of about 60 volunteers over the course of a couple of days, according to organizers.

“This is phenomenal,” said music teacher Leslie Johnson. By working together, “we’ve brought two different school communities together in a really valuable way” that serves to acquaint and welcome students, parents and teachers. “We’re just thrilled.”

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