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Rosenow Elementary School's Playground Project
We would like to share some updates on the Play4All Project.
As you may have seen in a recent email, the FDL School Board was generously gifted one million dollars from National Exchange Bank and Trust Foundation and Barbara and Peter Stone Family Foundation to create a new playground at each of the nine elementary schools.. which means the design that Play4All unveiled last school year at Rosenow will look much different. Instead a new design that will hopefully accommodate an entire district of students.
We are in the process of working with Dr Fleig to update the current projected universal structure to include accessibility to all nine schools.
Once that is finalized, we will share. Additionally, there are six preselected pieces (some of which are “inclusive”) that PTOs can purchase through fundraising efforts. If we are able to do this now, they will wave the install fee. If we are unable we will have to pay for those at a later date.
We are in the process of advocating to make these structures accessible to ALL students. We have a huge opportunity here to really bring accessibility to the forefront of elementary schools across the district! As we know, PLAY is a necessary foundation for our children.
Studies have proven that play fosters brain development and is IMPERATIVE to a child’s social and emotional development, not to mention the long list of further impacts play has on children. We can’t imagine leaving ONE single child out of these opportunities.
Which brings us here…what can you do?
Continue to talk about this project and advocate for fundraising efforts. We are still taking donations. This extra funding will allow us to add additional equipment at the time of install, rather than later, to avoid install fees.
Contact Dr. Fleig and let him know that it is of utmost importance to create a play space that is safe and INCLUSIVE. He has agreed to meet with us to modify the design to include accessibility. We are awaiting that meeting as of now. We are also working hard to create surfaces that allow for all students to access the structure. What does that mean? That means finding a compromise between Engineered Wood Fiber (wood chips) and Poured in Place (rubberized), and or concrete to ensure children with mobility challenges can safely access the equipment with ease. You can contact Dr Fleig via email at fleigj@fonddulac.k12.wi.us, or by phone at the district office 920-906-6502.
And last, BUT NOT LEAST, we appreciate and are BEYOND grateful for all donation and fundraising efforts this far. The money will still go towards the project, however that may look. There is nothing we want more than to recognize those of you who so generously believed in our mission the way we do. If you would also like to reach out to Dr. Fleig in an effort to create equal play, we encourage you to do so!
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for your support, then and more than ever, NOW!
-Lara, Candice and the Play4All Team
We are Play4All, a group of parents that are dedicated to bringing equitable play to the Fond du Lac School District. We believe that every child be able to play with their peers, no matter their ability. Equitable play should be a standard in our schools, not something that we have to pay for ourselves. Children should not be segregated or punished simply because they have a disability.
We have partnered with BCI Burke and are thrilled to share these first glimpses of our future playground!
"My son has muscular dystrophy and while he currently looks like every other child on the playground he is actually at high risk for falling and breaking a bone. The current playground at Rosenow is unsafe for my child. And when he needs a wheelchair he will be unable to get to the playground to enjoy recess with his friends. He will already feel like an outsider in his chair, how much more will he feel when he doesn't have access to the playground? This needs to change, for my son and for every other child at Rosenow with different abilities." - Lara Henry, co-chair of Play4All
Why do we need a new playground?
Why do we need a new playground?
Our current playground is several decades old and is out of repair. The company who built it is no longer in business so we are unable to purchase replacement parts as the needs arise. Our playground is also inaccessible for our many students who have special needs.
Why inclusive and accessible?
Why inclusive and accessible?
Rosenow Elementary is proud to be able to care for every student who walks in our doors. We believe that every student should be able to play with their friends, no matter their ability. This means that our new playground will have equipment specially designed for special needs. To not include these pieces would be a disservice to our students and to the community.
Why does it cost so much?
Why does it cost so much?
This is a huge project! It’s not a simple as taking out the old and putting in the new. The old equipment needs to be pulled out and safely removed, the current wood chips need to get taken away, a new rubber surface will be put in (for full wheelchair access!) and then all the new equipment will need to be installed, and we can’t forget the cost of labor!
Please take a moment to look through this slideshow to see the current state of our playground. Most of the protective surfaces are peeling away exposing rusting and sharp metal underneath. Our slide was made in 1997. We cannot replace the parts needed.
This is a need for not just our friends with different needs, but for every child at Rosenow.
Play4All is a group of parents in the FdL school district that are dedicated to bringing equitable play to our school's playgrounds.
While we come from many different backgrounds, our love of all students in the the greater Fond du Lac Community is our source of inspiration and hope as we start this project. We deeply believe that this goal is fully attainable and have faith in the community as we move forward. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.
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