With the increasing enrolment at the Canora Junior Elementary School (CJES) there is a real need for effective and safe spaces for children to utilize on the school’s playground, said Kellyanne Ostafie, chair of the CJES school community council (SCC).
Last year, the school and its SCC were informed that some of the existing equipment has to be removed for safety reasons, she said. “Most of the playground equipment at our school is old and inadequate.”
The SCC put together a plan “to install many new and exciting pieces of equipment to make our playground a place where children and the community will have safe, stimulating and healthy opportunities to play,” Ostafie said. “We have set a target of $130,000 for the playground project.”
The SCC recognizes that its goal is ambitious, but is optimistic that the goal can be met in time to have the equipment installed during the summer months and be available to students at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, she said. More than $10,000 had been raised so far,
“We welcome any help from individuals, businesses, organizations or community members to make this project a success,” Ostafie said.
“We know that a physically active community is a thriving and happy community,” she said. “This playground is the central location that all children from our community regularly make use of throughout the year. In addition to enhancing play and physical activity for CJES students, the installation of this new playground equipment will provide an added amenity to our community that will serve all ages and needs.” The project will include replacing the old swing structures with new swings, and adding tire swings and a super slide play structure, she said. Benches and tables can be used by the school as outdoor classrooms and be enjoyed by the general public.
The SCC notes that the current enrolment of Pre- Kindergarten to Grade 4 students is more than 200 from the town and surrounding area.
On May 13 during an assembly of the student body, Ostafie explained the project and invited the students to take part in the fundraising by soliciting pledges. That aspect of the project is being called the “Pledge Me to Play” fundraiser.
As an added incentive for the students to do the canvassing, the SCC is offering certain incentives. The class which raises the most money will be awarded a pizza party. The student who raises the most money will be awarded and iPod Nano. If the whole student body raises more than $5,000, there will be a movie and popcorn (or ice cream) event organized.
