St Mary's Playground Replacement

Our children deserve a place to play.

This act and the response from the Catholic District School Board is infuriating! To say that the kids would be happy with a yard with "good drainage" rather than climbers to play on is idiotic and uncaring. Repairing the drainage issue is part of constant maintenance and upkeep - nothing lasts forever! The same is true of the playground climbers. They were old, basic and had been repainted more than once, but the kids LOVED THEM! It gave them something to play on and exercise. It honed their imagination, and kept them busy during their brief recess time. Now without them, the 200+ kids are left with a couple of swings, a couple of basketball hoops, and a field. And how are we to "sell" the idea of parents sending their kids to St. Mary's? I know we have an amazing group of teachers and support staff, and a hard-working core of volunteers who help with various activities, but a school needs the WHOLE PACKAGE - inside and out. We are not asking for the $40,000 deluxe playground with hundreds of moving parts. We are asking for a few items to keep our kids excited, motivated and happy.

This would be incredibly for all the children to have at there school to play on and have fun and excersize ☺☺☺

Kids need that equipment. It keeps them fit which in turn keeps their brain fit.

They need playground equipment

What a shame. I would expect the SMCDSB place a higher value on children's equipment for the children (per curriculum: https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/environ18curr.pdf - it nice to have a choice whether or not to use equipment), afterall, I would think the wind turbine would have cost the board a great deal more (and I am not sure how that was connected to the curriculum). I hope this is positively resolved for St, Mary's school community.

My daughter will be attending St. Mary's in the fall and I would really like for the climbers to be there for all the children to enjoy.

Kids need physical play and to use there large motor skills. You need to put back what was once there, it outrageous not to replace it!!!!

A child at any age needs to laugh and play, is this not what a playground is intended for. To release the stresses of a school day. If our children's minds are not occupied with playing and laughter during recess I could only imagine what negative thoughts would soon arise.

This is so unacceptable! Kids need to have something to play on during recess or lunch time. I'm very upset at the thought that my daughter won't be able to do this. Please sign the petition and forward it off to as many people as possible. Thanks Mary

I will send this e-mail to Kim Newberry PHN who is our SMDHU School Liasion for her comments as well. I just want our children to have equipment that is fun and safe to play on.

it is their right to play, having things to do and equipment to play on helps with the play yard "cliques" that may arise from lack of things to do.

I think the children should have a playground at their school. this petition is a good idea!!

Let's work together to help keep Saint Mary's students physically active - it is such an integral and important part of their education!

The company who removed them should pay for part of the new equipment, it's only fair! Our kids loved the equipment, it enriches their school experience.

Physical activity is an important part of child development. Keeping kids active is a goal specified in the curriculum. Having equipment to help with these goals is essential.

With the high incidence of inactivity of kids highlighted often in the news, play yard climbers and equipment are an important part of active play and development for the students, also to keep them engaged in a positive manner.

Climbers are an imporant aspect of a playground!!

Let's work together to help support our kids at St. Mary's..

Please help me get some much needed playground equipment for our students.