Farewell to the slide
Annika Fjelstad
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The play structure pictured here was built behind the school 23 years ago. This year we determined it was no longer safe and decided to remove it, but not without celebrating all it had been to the community. The fifth- and sixth-graders led an assembly in which we shared memories of playing together on the slide. We heard more than one story of a broken limb — confirming that the safety decision had been a good call.
Parents and generous donors to Monteverde Friends U.S. helped us raise over $4,000 to build a new structure. Students began planning by drawing or writing about what they thought should be included in the structure.
Parents met to sift through the drawings and find ways to interpret some of the fanciful daydreams of our youngest playground planners. Parent and architect Sabine Hein built a miniature model which graced our office.
Under the leadership of Antonio Guindon, another small group of parents began work on the life-size version. When it’s all put together it will feature a multi-functional tower, play stations for the children, a platform to accommodate a full class beneath a canvas shade, and a stage for performances, graduations, etc. We will keep the playhouse, and the existing sandbox will be doubled in size. A little bridge and a new slide will be added. Despite delays due to weather and missing supplies, the new structure — awaiting the arrival of flooring material from Spain — beckons to us from our back play yard.
While Monteverde Friends School parents work on putting the roof on the new play structure, the old slide lurks in the foreground, ready to be recycled and reattached.
[Click for larger image]
This structure is a powerful testament to the fact that when kids get to dreaming, parents get to fundraising and organizing, and the entire Monteverde Friends School community follows through on its projects. While we’re upgrading our play area, we’re also dreaming about putting a roof on our volleyball court. We have already collected a good amount of money and another school is also helping us raise funds. If you’d like to make a contribution, please send it to Monteverde Friends U.S. at the address below
Annika Fjelstad is director of the Monteverde Friends School.
Photographs by Rebekah Lopata, Tricia Wagner, and Michael S. Strickland
Our school is sustained by donations to our scholarship fund. Over one-third of our students are on financial aid. This year we have depleted our fund. With tuition going up for next year, we need to be prepared to support all families at the levels they need in order to continue to attend our school.
Your donations to our scholarship fund allow us to retain quality teachers, as well as to buy books and supplies. Monteverde Friends School is grateful to our broad base of donors who enable us to provide a high quality education to all eligible students regardless of their ability to pay.
If you are in need of a U.S. tax deduction, you can make a donation to Monteverde Friends U.S., and send it to:
Monteverde Friends U.S.
c/o Clara Rowe
PO Box 993
Amherst, MA 01004
Checks can also be made out directly to the Monteverde Friends School and delivered here.
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TRULY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
