Neighbor News
After An Arson, A New Playground For Castro Valley School
Kaiser Permanente, school district, the PTA and community rally to replace a playground at Marshall Elementary School, destroyed in arson
CASTRO VALLEY - The students of Marshall Elementary School in Castro Valley were tirelessly back to sliding, hanging and swinging Friday, Oct. 10 at a special dedication of their newly rebuilt school playground, five months after it was destroyed in an arson fire.
Fifth grader Chelsea Antinero said it best during her short speech to thank community supporters. Standing in front of the bright blue and green play structures, she said without a playground children like her would be reduced “to playing on our blacktop throwing rocks!”
That drew laughter and agreement from her 449 classmates who gathered with teachers, parents and school district leaders to acknowledge community support to rebuild the school playground.
Find out what's happening in Castro Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
An arson fire May 8 destroyed the 15-year-old playground, and school insurance covered only half of the $100,000 needed to build a new one. With a grant of $25,000 from Kaiser Permanente Southern Alameda County, and a matching grant from the school district, Marshall students got a new playground.
It opened to great excitement on recess on the first day of school August 28.
Find out what's happening in Castro Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“What could be more pure than kids playing in a playground,” said Jesse Woodward, Marshall’s principal. “So thank you everyone! Your generous support helped put the smiles back on our faces.”
Tom Hanenburg, Senior Vice President and Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente Southern Alameda County, spoke during the ceremony sponsored by Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit.
“I grew up in Southern California. My friends and I played outside all the time. I know how important activity and play is for kids,” Hanenburg told the students. “We at Kaiser Permanente can’t be more proud of being able to help you and your school get a new playground, better than before and ready for all of you to start playing again.”
Kaiser Permanente also donated a bench next to the playground. On Martin Luther King Day next year, Kaiser Permanente volunteers from Southern Alameda County will return to the school for a day of service.
