When her daughter began attending junior kindergarten at a recently built Peterborough school, parent Tara Joyce was surprised to learn the provincial government doesn’t provide funding for a school playground.
Joyce wants her daughter, other students, and ultimately everyone in the East City community to have a playground at Kaawaate East City Public School (KECPS).
She and other parents are calling on the community’s support as they embark on a $200,000 fundraising campaign for an accessible playground at the public elementary school on Hunter Street East that opened in 2021.
“I was surprised and disappointed to learn when the Ministry of Education builds and opens a new elementary school, its funding doesn’t include the school playground,” Joyce, a member of the parent committee spearheading the fundraising campaign, told kawarthaNOW. “It’s up to the new school community to raise funds for it.”
“Having a playground for the students seems critical to the healthy functioning of any elementary school,” she said. “With our student body and new building already overcrowded in its third year of existence, creating more interactive spaces outdoors for our students is critically needed, and will have a long-term positive impact on their learning and growth.”
On March 18, KECPS announced its intent to raise the money needed to build an accessible playground for its student population of almost 800 children from the East City area of Peterborough and surrounding communities. It has raised $25,000 to date.
Joyce said making the playground inclusive of children who have varying abilities is important.
“Our vision is to create an outdoor space that allows children of all abilities and developmental stages to play together and that creates a nurturing environment for all,” she said.
“We have students with walkers and other mobility issues and our school is built on a drumlin. Equipment that includes ramps so all children can reach elevated play components such as slides, and enjoy the view up high is critical, as well having ground-level play activities.”
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory processing disorder often feel either over-stimulated or under-stimulated, and either need a quiet place to escape to, or the option to engage in activities that stimulates their senses, Joyce noted.
“We’d like the playground to include a mix of both calmer areas and sensory-rich activities that may involve music, lights, or spinning motions.”
Having an accessible playground is a priority for all members of the KECPS playground committee. It’s this shared concern for inclusion among parents of the East City community that’s driving them to raise funds for an accessible playground that caters to all students, including those with special mobility and sensory needs, a media release noted.
“The KECPS yard is located adjacent to a forest and offers a beautiful view from the hill overlooking the Trent-Severn waterway. It is truly a special location in the East City and one KECPS is proud to share with its community.”
“With our student body and new building already overcrowded in its third year of existence, creating more interactive spaces outdoors for our students is critically needed, and will have a long-term positive impact on their learning and growth,” said Robin Koshurba, member of the KECPS playground committee, in the release.
The committee is asking local businesses and organizations, families, and any interested donors for help to meet their fundraising goals.
Those who wish to donate can do so through School Cash Online at kprdsb.schoolcashonline.com or by cash or cheque. For more information about making a donation, contact the KECPS office at 705-745-2591.
The KECPS student population encompasses children from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 and includes students from the former King George Public School and Armour Heights Public School. “Kaawaate” is Ojibwe for “shining waters.”
