Kimes Elementary School in Streator had a big day on Oct. 9, 2020. Principal Heather Ketcham, physical education teacher Jeanne Hawk and special education teacher Leann Kitzman went out to the playground to begin preparing for a new venture by chalking the outlines to what was going to be a new and improved playground.
“Due to the COVID situation, the kids needed to social distance at recess,” Ketcham said. “With so many classes outside, we wanted to give them something more to do, to feel a sense of normalcy. It is so important for kids to have physical activity, and giving them more options on the playground will accomplish that and last through the years.”
On Oct. 10, 2020, the Streator High School Key Club, National Honor Society and other volunteers, including parents and Kimes staff, painted and completed the playground, which includes a “calm down corner” with a library. With special thanks to George and Bunny Cave, the outdoor library sits on the east side of the building where students can sit on a “buddy bench” and share a story. When students feel overwhelmed, there is now a spot they can go to and relax until they are ready to join their friends again.
On the playground, students can count with a caterpillar, play hopscotch and foursquare, as well as join in bilingual activities, spend time with the social emotional pinwheel and go through a sensory path obstacle course that includes bear crawls and other eye/hand coordination activities.
“The goal of our [Parent Teacher Organization] is to provide the students and staff of Kimes Elementary School with as many opportunities and as much excitement as possible,” PTO President Natalie Henderson said. “Every year we fundraise and work hard to ensure that we can continue to provide the kids new equipment or supplies for the playground and inside the school. After a totally unexpected and chaotic end of the 2020 school year, it was our goal to find a way to bring joy back to the school for these kids.
“When it was brought to our attention that playground use was limited due to sanitation needs and social distancing, we all knew we had to put our brains together to find a way to keep these students excited, engaged and active outside.”
Henderson said the PTO worked with Ketcham and Hawk to design a “painted playground” for students.
“With assistance from staff, Streator High School Key Club and National Honor Society members, we were able to work together to create some wonderful spaces for the kids to not only be active but keep their minds engaged at the same time,” Henderson said. “Anything that brings these kids joy and laughter during this confusing and difficult time is a win in my book.”