Progresses in Pride with a new playground.

A community works together to ensure success in the classroom and on the playground.

 

      
       Weeks of Work -- Years of Play

                Installing the posts was technically challenging. There isn’t much room for error, so each post had to be set exactly in place, and Gary Birkhead, Pete Vasser, along with other volunteers did an exceptional job with that. The platforms were heavy and we were grateful for the help from Kyle Norden and Rick Hall. The school tractor and Rick’s Bobcat, made the job of lifting and setting the platforms and bridges much easier and safer. Once platforms were up, the project was more fun as we were attaching the slides, ladders and other play stations.  

                Volunteers worked hard evenings and Saturdays for nearly five weeks. They lifted 80 pound bags of cement to the mixer, rolled heavy wheelbarrows pouring the numerous footings each evening. Dads, moms and friends helped dig each footing, hold up the heavy pieces, tighten bolts, drill holes, measure and align. Fortunately they worked for pizza. That’s pretty cheap labor!

                Finally, on Saturday, August 26^th, the volunteers gathered to smooth, shovel and rake out the woodchip safety surface. The kids were overjoyed when we said, “Okay to play!”

                This is a time when doctor are concerned about the weight and physical condition of our young people. Getting children moving and challenging their physical abilities improves their strength and vitality. The Play World certainly gets kids moving. It challenges both their upper and lower bodies with a variety of play stations. The Play World is busy at recesses and before school, and it is busy in the evenings, weekends and summers. It is an important addition to our community and it shows just how much people in the Hartford area care for their children.

                Our work isn’t finished though. The total cost of the unit was near $38,000.  The PTO paid for half of that amount and rather than construct part of the structure now and the additional sections in three years, the PTO borrowed approximately $19,000 from the Board of Education with the promise to repay them over the next three years. That means our fundraisers are very important and we will need parents to continue their efforts and support.  We all greatly appreciate your help with the Club’s Choice fundraiser going on this fall and our spring Midland Fund Raiser.  Click here for more information on how you can help.

                The PTO also wants to repaint the existing play equipment this fall, so look for notes asking for volunteers to help paint on a Saturday in the next few weeks. Painting everything in the same color scheme as the Play World will really punch-up the look of our playground and make it an even more exciting place for kids.
 

 
1.  L-R   Dan Klug augered holes with help from Bill Schuler and Matt Schaner.

2.  L-R  A packed trailer was unloaded by Rick Vawter, Mike Chappell, Jeff Carlson, and Mr. Busch.

 
3.   Rick Hall carefully operated the Bobcat while Mr. Busch and Sally Purdue guided the railing into place. Matt Schaner is ready with the bolts while Nikki Birkhead prepared tools and parts and Bob and Shirley Hall are ready to jump in with needed help.

4.  L-R   Bryan Young and Gary Birkhead attach a safety railing as Amanda Young watches.
 

 
5.  L-R   It's after dark as Matt Schaner, Gary Ackerman, and Vince Garcia worked feverishly getting ready to pour a footing

6.  L-R   Bob Hall and Laura Busch sort parts as other volunteers install the ten foot bridge.
 

 
7.  L-R   Bob Hall, Matt Schaner, John Busch, and Gary Birkhead set and level a stairway

8.   Playground chip is delivered with the guidance of Joey Newnum and Kyle Norden.

 
9.  Pete Vasser and Gary Birkhead measured carefully for the first platform.

11.  L-R    Sue Hall, Rick Hall and John Busch bolt on the roof.
 

         
      12.    Rick Hall and Mr. Busch bold down the roof panels
               as Tim Perdue provides parts.

    
13.  L-R    Michelle Ziemer, Rick Hall, and Sue Hall spread landscape mat under the lowest platform.
 

14.   Jason Arndt used a torch to cut off a pipe from the old play structure.

15.    Matt Schaner firmly bolts down the high ladder climber.
 

16.   Rick Hall drops safety wood chip on the landscape mat as Bob Hall helps spread it under our new equipment.

17.  L-R

18.  L-R   Rick Hall touches up the edges and prepares the ground for new grass seed.

19.   The view from the top platform.

20.  L-R   Tim Perdue talks with his daughter, Katelynn, while Paul Thomas, Maria Thomas, and Sarah Hall wait for the "all's safe" signal.

21.                              R  e  c  e  s  s!

Play World is an amazing project and it adds a dramatic look to the front of our school. It couldn’t have been completed without the help of dozens of volunteers. We are all grateful to those who helped. Here is the list in no particular order: