Above: Langton School staff, students, and the Parents Council cut a ribbon to mark the official opening of the playground.
Fun and Games as Langton School Realizes Playground Goals
Langton School’s new playground was the talk of the town last Thursday evening during the official opening of the outdoor space, and it was a fitting celebration considering it was the town that helped make it possible.
Right: Grade 6 student Kaden had a blast testing out the new equipment.
“This playground will become an extension of the classroom and provide a space that’s engaging and promotes the health and well-being of our students,” said Tracey Rodrigues, Principal at Langton Public School, during the event which included a barbecue and face-painting station, as well as the chance to try out all the new equipment. “The generosity from the community has been overwhelming.”
Rodrigues thanked the “small but mighty” team of parents that make up the school’s parent council. They took the lead on fundraising for the project, which cost more than $50,000. Langton School received a Community Partnership Incentive Plan (CPIP) grant to cover some of the costs, but the rest came from donations provided by organizations, businesses, and individuals, and was the result of parent council devoting many hours of time to the project over two years.
Right and below: Students, families, and community members enjoyed the warm weather while celebrating the playground opening.
“We’re moms, so we want to see our kids smiling and having fun – that’s what motivates us,” said Council Chair Christina Lounsbury, who didn’t think they’d achieve their fundraising goals as quickly as they did. “This is a community that really cares.”
Some of the organizations which contributed included the Norfolk Chapter of 100 Women Who Care, Langton Firefighters, Langton Lions Club, Rotary Club of Simcoe, Granger Excavating, among many other groups and individuals who supported it.
Grand Erie’s Multi-Year Plan includes a commitment to making the best use of space within schools, including school grounds, through its Environment indicator, and promotes environments which recognize the well-being of mind, body, emotion, and spirit through its Well-Being indicator. Outdoor exercise and imaginative play – facilitated by the modern playground equipment – is essential to both and contributes to the ultimate goal of Success for Every Student.
“Before this was here, there was just grass out here to play on,” said Grade 6 student Kaden as he climbed a web of ropes, Spiderman-style.
“Now it’s super fun, and we get to exercise so we can stay heathy and learn better.”
Photos by Grand Erie Communications