Students at Ray E. Kilmer Elementary have a new place play, and the best part is that they helped shape it.
The entire student body gathered to celebrate their new playground with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 26. Principal Greg Saunders led the celebration with students Drake Schleiss, sixth grader; Joey Bimber, fifth grader; and Jubilee Glasco, fourth grader, playing a role in the event.
Once grant funding helped make the playground possible, district staff members collaborated with students to gather their ideas. Students started with a survey to see what their peers wanted, and then engaged in conversations with Melissa Andrews, Director of Planning, Facilities, and Grounds; and Ricky Vestal, Operations and Grounds Manager.
“We got magazines that were full of playgrounds, and we circled the ones we wanted, and cut them out. Then we came to our final decision after that,” said Joey. Students and district staff also discussed the importance of ensuring a safe place to play for everyone.
The new playground features slides, swings, climbing equipment, and a “spinny thing” that Drake really wanted.
District leaders were present to help cut the ribbon and officially open the playground for business.
