New Playground Opens at George M. Davis Elementary School
George M. Davis Elementary School held a ribbon-cutting Thursday for a brand new playground built at no cost to the school district thanks to the Morgan Stanley Foundation and the not-for-profit group, Kaboom.
Davis was selected for the playground installation because it was the only elementary school in the district whose playground was not upgraded during the last capital project. After months of planning, more than 150 volunteers from Morgan Stanley, Kaboom, the PTA, school staff and community gathered for the final build.
Students from the Community Service and Kids Care Teams supported the volunteers by welcoming them, providing movement breaks, serving breakfast and lunch, and cheering for them. The entire school wrote thank you cards for the volunteers, and fifth graders thanked volunteers at the end of the day by singing two songs and giving them a sign they made with their hand prints around the words “Unity in Community”.
The new playground features: A bumpy slide with ridges on the way down to provide sensory input; A four person, wheelchair accessible wobble set; Sensory paths and a balance beam that will be amazing for all, but especially for our PT who can work with kids in a place that supports their socialization and transfer of skills from PT in the PT room to the playground. Picnic tables with toppers to play chess, tic tac toe, and other games. One wheelchair accessible. A lending library. An “igloo” for climbing and sitting inside. Musical Instruments and bongo drums.
Students in the Community Service and Kids Care Clubs helped design the playground, choosing elements to benefit students of all abilities and interests. They were especially focused on students who might have sensory, mobility, or physical therapy needs, as well as those who might not connect to the current play space.
“Students drew their playground designs and shared key elements,” said Assistant Principal Laurie Marinaro. “We looked at trends across the designs. Then, KaBOOM! showed us examples of playground elements to choose from that were relevant to the ideas that emerged.”