First they got a new playground, and then they got to see their principal and vice-principal get hit in the face with pies.
Altogether, it was a great day for the 450 students of Stettler Elementary School.
Students, staff, parents and dignitaries gathered outside the school on Friday, Sept. 19 to celebrate the new Grade 2 playground, located at the south end of the school property.
Stacie Pederson and Melissa Robbins, both parents and members of the school council, said the playground was in the works for nearly two years.
Each grade at Stettler Elementary has its own play space, although students are allowed to move freely between the spaces during outdoor time.
Students were asked about what they wanted in the new playground, and their responses were used in the design of the new space, said Pederson.
“This represents what the students asked for when we surveyed them,” she said, gesturing towards the playground, which features a large structure with a climbing wall on the west side and three slides facing east.
“The climbing wall was No. 1,” added Robbins, who serves as school council chair.
The playground, constructed over the summer, is surfaced with pea gravel and mulch, and is dotted with posts, planks, hopscotch blocks and benches.
Another parent, Kristine Bailey-Chesla, contributed her expertise in landscape design, helping to bring the students’ ideas to life.
“It all came together with her help, and her sweat, and the breaking of her back,” said Robbins with a smile, adding that, ultimately, the students’ use of the space was of the greatest importance.
The project received some financial support, including a $10,000 grant from Communities in Bloom and Agrium, a $13,000 contribution from the school council, and $3,000 from Direct Energy to construct a retaining wall.
However, most of the contributions came from in-kind donations of supplies, equipment and time.
More than 20 businesses supported the project, with their help acknowledged on a permanent sign. The estimated value of the playground is $184,000.
Principal Sharon Fischer welcomed the crowd at Friday’s celebration, including Clearview Public Schools superintendent Peter Barron, associate superintendent Peter Neale and trustees Staci Gerlitz and Dave Goodwin, as well as the school’s maintenance supervisor, Russ McKay.
Robbins and Pederson spoke to the crowd about the hours of volunteer work that went into creating and building the park, and the student input that inspired it.
“We took all these ideas together and created this space for you,” Robbins told the school body.
Grade 5 students Owen Laughlin and Bryce DeRijck were recognized for their efforts in maintaining the playground by watering the shrubs and trees.
To cap the ceremony, Fischer and vice-principal Kate Syson competed in a race across the playground, scaling the climbing wall and crossing from one end to the other.
While it was promised that the loser would get hit with a pie, both Fischer and Syson got the same treatment upon reaching the finish line, delivered by students Rhys Pederson and Ellery Robbins.
After the celebration concluded, the school’s Grade 2 students were free to enjoy their new playground until the bell rang.