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08/21/2019 08:30 AMSchool starts in just two weeks and this year, Chester Elementary School (CES) students have another reason to look forward to going back: Recess time promises to be super exciting on their new playground equipment.
Work started Aug. 12 on the school’s new playground and is slated to be completed before the doors open for the new school year on Thursday, Aug. 29. The project was made possible by the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the fundraising efforts of its past president, Aaron Zain.
“This was a goal of mine and I am incredibly excited to see it through to fruition,” Zain said. “There was a huge need for new equipment and I think it will be fantastic for the kids to be able to go back to school, for a new school year, with all new playground equipment.”
The new playscape will include a climbing wall, two slides, play platforms, and stairs to different levels of activity. All the equipment is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. There will also be the addition of a new modern day merry-go-round, a new ADA bucket swing for kids with physical disabilities, and a new basketball backboard and hoop. The existing swings and monkey bars will remain.
Zain explained that the Playground Committee, which consisted of the CES building manager James Grbyzowski, PTO members, parents, and CES staff and Principal Tyson Stoddard, determined the color scheme for the new equipment would remain nature-themed, so rather than bright reds, blues, and yellows, everything is going to be hunter green, beige, and brown.
“We wanted it to tie in nicely to the surrounding environment and since this playground backs up to a wooded area, we thought it best to choose natural colors,” said Zain, who was elected as the president of the PTO in 2017.
At that time Zain asked Stoddard to identify what some of the needs were in the school and new playground equipment was on the list. Zain made it her goal to get this project done during her two years in the volunteer position.
One of the main PTO fundraisers was the Spring Fling, which raised more than $13,000 in just one night, at its maiden launch. The next year the same event raised another $4,000. However, the playground project price tag was just under $57,000, so several other fundraisers were held, and a grant totaling $14,000 was secured from Creative Recreation, a company in Hartford, which covered the cost of installation for the equipment.
With only months away from stepping down from her position, Zain still had not reached her fundraising goal when an anonymous donor stepped forward and donated the remainder of the money needed to complete the project.
“I was so excited when we got the news that this project was definitely happening,” said Zain. “I honestly think I might even be a little more excited about it then the kids are. This was a collaborative effort by the PTO, the CES parents and staff, and the entire community and we are so grateful for everything that everyone has done and contributed to make this happen.”
Stoddard added, “We are extremely proud of the PTO and everyone involved. This was a big project and to have it completed before the kids come back to school is a huge boost for them and something that we are all very excited about.”
An official ribbon cutting for the new playground will take place soon.