Weller Elementary students, staff, parents raise $30,000+ for new playground

(From Springfield Public Schools)

At 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, Weller Elementary School will celebrate a successful collaboration and fundraising effort which has resulted in a new playground for students and the community.

Over the past year, Weller students, staff and parents have raised over $30,000 to help pay for the $220,000 playground. One Weller student donated her life savings of $120 to support the effort. The remainder came from generous private donors, grants and assistance from partner Cunningham Recreation/Play 4 ALL.

"This would not have been possible without the involvement of so many different people," explained Principal Rebecca Donaldson. "Not only will our students benefit from this wonderful new playground, but our entire community will be able to enjoy it when school is not in session."

At Weller, which is the heart of its central Springfield neighborhood, about 87 percent of its students are eligible to receive free or reduce priced lunch. It is also one of the most ethnically diverse elementary schools in Springfield. As an English Language Learners program site, Weller has students who are originally from Asia, Europe, Central America and Africa.

"Our students may speak many different languages but when they go outside for recess there are no language barriers," Donaldson said. "Play is the universal language of children."

Last year, Donaldson realized it would be necessary to raise private funds in order to replace some outdated playground equipment. She partnered with Cunningham Recreation, and its division--Play 4 ALL- to launch the community-wide effort. Dr. Peggy Riggs, a retired Springfield Public Schools administrator, served as a liaison and assisted Donaldson with the effort.

Extensive research supports the notion that children learn better through play and that a daily recess period, which provides access to climbers, slides, sensory-rich activity panels, monkey bars and other obstacles, helps children pay better attention in the classroom. Play also fosters cooperation, strengthens social cohesion while teaching children life skills like taking turns, resolving conflict and setting goals.

The first opportunity Weller students will have to use the new playground equipment will be Friday after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.