Class Legacy Brick Challenge Leaderboard (Updated 10/28)

1st Place

• 3rd Grade - $2,292.98

2nd Place

• 1st Grade - $1,780.25 

3rd Place

• 4th Grade - $930.39

4th, 5th & 6th Place

• 2nd Grade - $900.25
• 5th Grade - $338
• Kindergarten - $270

UPDATE: 09/18/2020

We are launching our Outlaw Legacy Brick Challenge! Any grade or family that raises at least $500 will get a brick with their name on it! To participate in the class challenge, simply donate here (or send in a check or cash) and put your Child's grade level in the "Comment" section (or memo line of the check). If a family is donating or raised $500, put what you would like listed on your brick in the "Comment" section (or in the memo of the check). 

UPDATE: 9/6/2020

We have incurred some additional unexpected expenses that were out of our control. When everything is said and done, we will need an additional funding to complete the project (final numbers are still waiting to come in from two companies). Thank you for your continued support! 

OUR SCHOOL

Over the last six years, Elder Grove has grown by 45%. Our once minute and charming little schoolhouse is now home to over 600 children. Through the rapid growth and evolving needs over the last decade, coupled with old and outdated equipment, safety concerns for our children have come to light. 

SAFETY

The current play structure at Elder Grove is over 30 years old, equipped to handle 35-45 children, and is frequented by over 600 children daily. This equipment was moved from the original playground on the southeast side of the original schoolhouse in 2010 when the library addition was completed. During the move, structural issues were noted and repaired. Over the last 10 years, we have replaced the main slide, removed paint chips from the metal touchable surfaces, removed or replaced rusted parts, replaced cracked edging that students have fallen though, and many more. The current play structure has provided thousands of children decades of entertainment, but it is no longer safe nor sound.

When the playground was relocated from the front of the building to the back, we lost the ability to enclose the playground with a fence. Though we try and restrict it, the children have access to sewer caps, electrical boxes, the neighboring ditches, school parking lots, 64th Street, Hesper, as well as multiple blind spots due to building structures. By erecting a fence at the three open locations surrounding the playground, we will enclose the area and provide a safe and secure campus for our students.

Along with overcapacity and structural issues, we have seen an increase in wood chip related injuries. When the playground was moved in 2010, it was recommended that we use playground graded wood chips. Because of our location and being surrounded by farmland, the wind has always been a concern. Our current wood chips easily blow in the wind and have caused multiple injuries to both students and staff. Administration has been forced to cancel recess on many occasions to keep children and staff safe from injury on windy days.

NOT INCLUSIVE

With our ever-growing population, our student demographic and needs have also shifted. We currently serve nearly 100 diverse learners that need additional support. These students currently do not have access to private play opportunities on our current playground. To properly serve these students, we have planned for multiple options that will allow them an equal opportunity for sensory, cognitive, physical and social play.

OUR PLAN

• We will replace the outdated main play structure with the Billington structure and multiple other freestanding pieces. The Billington will accommodate 85-95 children and includes an inclusive two seat swing set, as well as many different physical activities that meet the standards for physical education. 
• Wood chips will be replaced with playground turf which will remove the immediate threat of injury and increase the fall rating and overall safety of our playground. 
• The final step will be to construct a fence to enclose the playground and fully secure our campus. Gate access from the north side will allow students to enter at drop off while also exit to get to the upper elementary school building. A gate on the south side will protect students from the electrical box that is within reach during play. Employees will be equipped with key card entry providing an additional security measure for student safety. The final section of fence will connect the technology building to the new breezeway on the west restricting students from playing on current sewer caps.