It’s a new school year, a new week, and now, a brand-new playground at Whiting Elementary School (WES)! Students gathered with excitement today as Principal Swift, Superintendent Pedroza, Chris Brown (Head of Buildings & Grounds), and Wilma the Wildcat, the WES mascot, officially opened the playground with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Principal Swift shared that the project was made possible through the support of the Board of Education. The original playground structure, which was over 25 years old, had undergone multiple repairs and was ultimately deemed in need of replacement to ensure student safety.
The new playground features a vibrant structure designed in the school district’s customized colors, multiple slides, including a student-favorite enclosed slide, and the much-anticipated return of swings to the recess area.
Adding to the excitement, WES held a school-wide competition leading up to the ribbon cutting to determine which classes would earn the honor of being the first to use the new playground. Cafeteria staff observed and recorded lunch and recess behavior throughout the year, and the winning classes were announced as Mrs. Baranyay’s and Mrs. Gould’s. Following the ceremony, both classes had the opportunity to be the first students to enjoy the new play space.
As Principal Swift shared at the opening of the ceremony, "play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning" - Fred Rogers. Today marked not just the opening of a new playground, but the beginning of new memories, friendships, and joyful moments for WES students.