by Eileen Scott
Special to The Leaven
TOPEKA — Students at Holy Family School here have a new playground for the first time in 30 years.
According to principal Relynn Reynoso, they now have a much larger space to run and play and more age-appropriate equipment to enjoy. That includes new slides, climbing walls and monkey bars.
A blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Sept. 24. Father Dan Coronado, pastor of nearby Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, offered the blessing, and school board members Allan Towle and Earl Flowers participated in the ribbon cutting, along with the eighth grade class.
The playground is the result of the school’s annual extravaganza fundraiser held in February. The event committee unanimously agreed that all proceeds would go toward building it.
Roughly 300 people attended the extravaganza, and $75,000 was raised. Work on the new playground began in the spring.
Reynoso attributes the extravaganza’s success to intentional marketing, a new and bigger venue and the community coming together around the desire to bring a new playground to the school.
Several community members have visited with her and talked about the need for the upgrade over the three years she’s been principal.
While the outdoor play area is a source of fun and exercise, it offers more than just a physical outlet. According to Reynoso, playgrounds are a place where young students can develop compassion and respect and learn to encourage one another.
“It’s about socialization and playing together, helping each other, cheering each other on,” said Reynoso. “We see all of that.”
For the eighth graders, the new playground was also an opportunity to serve the school.
They wanted to contribute as a service project, and this summer they were given the task of filling in the mulch beneath the equipment.
The students were divided into shifts, taking turns over the course of three hours to shovel the mulch onto the playground.
Despite the heat and the time-consuming task, Reynoso said, “They never complained. I kept hearing things like, ‘This is service. We’re giving back.’”
“It’s important to serve,” said eighth grader Uriel Rivera. “And it helps me in the future to not be lazy.”
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the eighth graders were recognized for their service by having the opportunity to be the first students to play on the new equipment.
“Being the first ones to be able to play on it was really meaningful since it’s our last year,” said eighth grader Isaac Torrez. For Torrez and Rivera, playing on the new playground brought back memories of kindergarten, when they first started school, and playing tag throughout the years.
“I hope students who use the playground use it safely,” said Rivera.
As for Torrez, he said, “I hope students make good memories on it.”
