Good-bye to the Old Playground

Last week, Lower School students and our fifth grade Middle School friends gathered on the old playground to say good-bye in preparation for the start of construction on our new playground.  We shared what we loved best about playing "on the big kids" playground, and we looked forward to what we will most enjoy once the new Headwaters Discovery Playground (HDP) is complete.  We formed a giant circle around the green climber and chanted a few lyrics from a Beatles song.  Half the circle called out "You say good-bye!" and the other half responded, "And I say hello!"  After several rounds of chanting, students had one last time to cross the monkey bars, jump on the bridge, ride the zip line and use the tire swings.

Over the weekend work to remove the green structure began and on Tuesday it was removed to make way for the start of the HDP.  Along a wall in Lower School are sentence strips that students completed reflecting on what they loved best about the old playground and what they can't wait to try on the new playground.  We have several months to contemplate the many possibilities of our new outside play and learning space and the added joy of watching its creation unfold.

Playground being dismantled.

In the meantime, we have made great use of new playthings at recess among the fields and near the creek.  Magnifying glasses have been employed to study fallen leaves, balls have been used for kickball and burner ball, and jump ropes have a surprising variety of uses!  We are fortunate to have so much incredible green space in which to play and explore.  However, we will certainly be looking out the back windows often to mark the progress of the Headwaters Discovery Playground.

It looks so strange without the climber!