Schools
Chelo's Mondays Help Effort For New Globe Park Elementary Playground
Tina Gilbert is just one of the many parents and school officials involved in raising the necessary funds to build a new playground at Globe Elementary for all children, including those with disabilities.
When Carole Lerner, Director of Special Education for the Woonsocket Education Department, realized she had around $75,000 remaining in funds awarded from the America Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA,) she knew she could do something positive for city students.
Lerner called Globe Park Elementary Principal Rob Desrosiers, who put together the team of teachers, support staff and parents that have been meeting every week for the past three months to in hopes of creating a “playground with access for all.”
The idea is to build an inclusive playground where children of all abilities can play and learn together in a fun and welcoming environment. Globe Park School was selected as the site because of the high number of specialized classrooms and the location of the medically fragile classroom. The vision evolved as the playground team took into consideration the need to create a place where all children have the opportunity to gain the developmental and health benefits derived from play.
Find out what's happening in Woonsocketfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Tina Gilbert, a parent of a Globe Park Elementary student and member of the PTA, has two small children of her own, one of whom attends the school. She took the initiative to help in the fundraising efforts by calling many of the local businesses here in Woonsocket. of Woonsocket kindly offered Globe Park School a "Month of Mondays" worth of fundraising.
Every customer who presents the fundraising flier during the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., on Monday April 11, 18, or 25, will automatically have a percentage of their food and beverage sales donated to the school's playground fund.
Find out what's happening in Woonsocketfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"This playground is for all the kids...so all the kids can play together," Gilbert said.
Chelo's Fliers are being sent home weekly to the 475 students who attend Globe Park Elementary. If you would like to help, additional Chelo's Fliers can be picked up at on Diamond Hill Road, or Globe Park Elementary School. Questions or donations can be directed to Jess Frechette, Chairperson, or Rob Desrosiers, Principal at Globe Park School, 401-767-4830.
