Mountain View Playground Project

Aperçu:

Mountain View Elementary is not your typical school located in your typical neighbourhood. Mountain View Elementary is the hub for one of the most culturally and economically diverse areas in the Lower Mainland. Welcome to Our World School: The playground, basketball court and gravel field are used by children growing up in the area, as well as students of Mountain View. The Share program, The Mountain View Group Daycare, and the Share Family and Community Services Program all benefit from the play areas provided by Mountain View. If we could expand and update the well worn and well used existing playground – we can provide a better to place to play for the entire community. The Community is one where many new immigrants to Canada start out. The Share Community, who utilizes Mountain View’s school property, provides assistance on initiating new immigrants to life in Canada; including grocery shopping, preparing lunches for their children, providing clothing, counseling, childcare workshops, and education regarding play and fitness. The neighbourhood is their introduction to Canada and the starting point to their successful new lives. The Community Services program - Schools and Families Together is a partnership involving families living in Coquitlam’s Burquitlam neighbourhood. Three elementary schools (Roy Stibbs, Mountain View, and Miller Park), Banting Middle School, SHARE Family & Community Services, Immigrant Services Society, Coquitlam Leisure and Parks Services, Coquitlam Public Library, Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD) School-Based Social Worker, and Simon Fraser University’s “Friends of Simon Tutoring Program” work together to organize a variety of community meetings and cultural celebrations during the year which attract school-age children and their families. Families come together to play with their children in the sports fields and playgrounds of Mountain View. The After School Program provides children with the opportunity to learn through play and stay active while they enjoy a variety of after school activities. It also provides opportunities for parents to participate. Activities for parents include: parenting workshops, employment programs, English Practice Groups and other activities of interest to parents. These families benefit year round from the playground area. At Mountain View Elementary, students and parents make up a respectful, caring and responsible learning community. We are inclusive of all children: their interests, abilities, personalities and culture are very important factors in supporting their growth as learners. This year our school goals centre around the development and maintenance of health through diet and daily exercise and the development of literacy skills. Activities such as: daily physical education, action schools projects, jogging club, playground helpers, and the fruit and vegetable program all contribute to helping our students learn and understand how to become a healthy member of our school community. Research has shown that play is the primary vehicle for development of the imagination, intellegence and language. What better way to enrich the neighbourhood, support our community and help to achieve the main goals of the school than by improving the area with the update and addition of playground equipment. Quote from Silken Laumann:“My fitness was learned in a simpler time when kids played outside more and neighbourhoods moved at a different pace; when we used our imaginations to entertain ourselves and connect with our neighbours. My childhood experiences definitely enlightened my current thinking about movement and play.” Please vote for the Mountain View Elementary School playground expansion project – every vote counts and we need your support to strengthen our school, our children, our neighbourhood and our community!