Perry Elementary Center hosted a grand opening of its playground addition on Sept. 8.
Principal Andrea Berger greeted students gathered out front of the playground.
“It took a lot of effort and a whole lot of people to make this happen,” said Berger. “(The PTO) had the vision to expand our playground a few years ago. They worked tirelessly over the last few years to make sure that happened. With the support of our community and surrounding communities, with the support of businesses and our school board financially supporting this, we made it happen. You made it happen, those of you who participated in the fundraisers.”
PTO fundraisers, such as Booster-Thon and the Coach/Vera Bradley Bingo & Raffle, raised funds for the new equipment. Volunteers installed the additional playground equipment during a Community Build on June 24. Not only has Phase 2 doubled the size of the playground, it also added more options for all of the students that attend Perry, including those with disabilities; several pieces are handicap accessible, said Perry Elementary PTO President Yvonne Stitzel.
“It truly was a team effort,” said Berger. “A lot of people volunteered their time to put this playground in for you. This equipment was especially selected to make sure everyone in our building could play and have fun. I’ve witnessed that. I’ve been out here at recess and I’ve seen your smile on your faces. I’ve seen you playing and laughing and running around and having a great time. Everything we did over the last few years was worth it because you’re enjoying this new playground.”
On the count of three, the students shouted, “Thank you!” to all of those who made the installation of the new playground equipment possible.
The Grand Opening served as a celebration for the students.
“They worked hard last year at Booster-Thon and all of that money went toward this build, to the equipment. It’s a celebration for them as well,” said Stitzel. “We’re just thankful for what everyone does.”
To conclude the Grand Opening was the ribbon cutting. Perry students Grace Cromyak and Heaven Lee held the ceremonial ribbon while Zaidyn Werley cut the ribbon.
After the event, Hamburg Area School District Superintendent Richard Mextorf said that on the day of the Community Build at 7:30 a.m., the site was filled with water from the previous night’s rainfall.
“Folks didn’t complain, they just got together. They got what they needed, got all of it drained and spent the whole day building this,” said Mextorf. “Everybody came together. It was the PTO, teachers, parents, community members, school board members, administrators and just came together and spent the whole day doing what needed to be done to build this.”
Mextorf said this really describes what this community and Hamburg Area School District are all about, coming together and doing what needs to be done in the best interest of the students.
During the first couple days of school, Mextorf visited Perry’s playground, seeing student Zaidyn Werley playing on the playground for the first time.
“Before we had this, she wouldn’t have been able to be on the playground equipment, but she was not in her wheelchair, she was on the playground equipment with all of the other kids,” said Mextorf. “That’s really what it’s all about, every child without exception. That really warmed my heart… When she’s out here, she gets to play just like everybody else.”
Mextorf said he has a sense of pride for all of those who were involved in the project. He shared his appreciation for everyone’s efforts.