Idée acf3779:

Once Upon A Playground

Affichée le novembre 11, 2009

• Auteur : William Lee
• Organisation: Sherbrooke Elementary School
• Endroit : 242 Ontario Street Sherbrooke Quebec
• Catégorie : Soutenez les jeunes
• Coût : À moyen budget (10 000 $ à 50 000 $)

Once upon a time in a far away land called Sherbrooke, there lived a lonely old school playground. But the playground wasn’t always lonely.

Behind the playground lay a big red brick building filled with hundreds of young children squirming and wiggling in their seats.

For many long years, every time the school bell rang, the boys and girls of Sherbrooke Elementary School popped out of their seats like jack in the boxes and flew out of class. They ran over the terrified teacher trying to block the door with her body. They zoomed down the stairs knocking over Bill the janitor who was sweeping the floor.

The children even ran over the Vice Principal Mrs. C in their rush to get to the playground!

The boys and girls of SES would slide and swing, swing and slide and climb, and climb and swing and slide to their hearts content. This made the playground very happy!

But as time went by the playground began to grow old and tired and out of shape. And the older and more out of shape the playground got, the less the children came to play.

But it wasn’t because they didn’t like the playground - it was because their parents were big worry warts.

“Don’t swing on that rusty old thing,” one would say.

“Don’t slide on that filthy old slide,” a babysitter would warn.

“Don’t climb on that those rickety old pipes,” crowed still another parent.

Eventually the children just stopped coming to play. This made the playground even sadder than getting old, and rusty, and worn out.

The lonely hours turned into days and the lonely days turned into weeks, and the lonely weeks turned into months. And the lonely old playground began to think that all was lost and the children would never come back.

Then one fall day Mr. Faucher the gym teacher and his daughter Mia by to sit on the rickety old swings of the playground. Although the teachers were a lot older and less exciting than the children, the playground was glad for the company.

“It sure is lonely here with none of my friends to play with” said Mia. “When are they going to fix the playground Daddy?"

“I know Mia. The school doesn't have enough money right now,” said Mia's Dad as he gently rocked back and forth on one of the creaking old swings.

“I wish you could buy some new swings and slides and monkey bars so my friends' parents will let them come play with me."

You know,” said Mr. Faucher. “I got an email from Mrs. C about a community project run by the Aviva Insurance Company. They’re giving away a lot of money to help kids like you have a safe place to play.”

The old playground was listening to every word Mia and her Dad were saying. Could there be some hope?

“Maybe we should enter the contest and try to win some of the money for a new playground,” said Mia. “How much do you think we would need Daddy?”

The old playground looked around at the rusty pipes, splintering swings, and broken slides and thought, ‘I’m a mess, we need a lot.’

“Hmmmm. Let me think," said Mia's Dad. "We want to make sure we get the right kind of equipment, so…” Mia watched as her Dad leaned back and did some mental calculations.

“I think it will cost about $48,526.75, approximately," said Mr. Faucher.

"Wow," said Mia. "And you're not even a math teacher!"

'How are they ever going to get that much money?' wondered the old playground.

Mia's Dad jumped off the swing just like the kids did when they jump out of their seats in class.

“You know Mia, - I think we should enter the contest! Let's go talk to Mrs. C.”

"Yaaayy," shouted Mia. “Maybe we can win some money so the playground can be safe and fun for my friends.”

The playground could hardly believe what Mr. Faucher and Mia were saying as Mia and her Dad ran back into the school to talk to Mrs. C.

The playground was filled with hope as the door to the school closed.

‘If they win that contest then all the children will come back to play with me and I won’t be lonely anymore,’ thought the playground.

If it had been possible, the playground would have been crossing fingers and legs, dancing a jig, and smiling a big bright smile that would have brightened the sky.

• 

  A lonely old playground
  I live alone within myself, like a hut within the woods; I keep my heart high upon the shelf, barren of other goods; I need the children’s arms to reach for me and hug me tight; I need their touch, their smiles, their laughter; to fill my hut with song.
  novembre 16, 2009 @ 10:33

  
  
• 

  A lonely old playground
  I live alone within myself, like a hut within the woods; I keep my heart high upon the shelf, barren of other goods; I need the children’s arms to reach for me and hug me tight; I need their touch, their smiles, their laughter; to fill my hut with song.
  novembre 16, 2009 @ 10:33

  
  

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Seuls les 1000 commentaires les plus récents sont affichés.

• Banks

  Once upon a time I was one of those happy children playing with my 2 sisters on the seesaw. The good ol' days. Maybe my grandchildren will some day play on the new improved playground at SES.
  novembre 17, 2009 @ 3:45 EST

  
  

• Jessica

  I really hope S.E.S wins! The children would benefit greatly at recess time.
  novembre 17, 2009 @ 8:30 EST

  
  

• Anonymous

  There are 500 children depending on your vote. Please register your vote daily to help make the SES playground an awesome place for our children to play and laugh. Thanks to all voters... I know we can do this! S. McLean
  novembre 17, 2009 @ 9:03 EST

  
  

• Donna

  Let's go SES...let's go..we can do this..please help by voting daily and spreading the word..SES is such a wonderful school and the kids need a new playground to enjoy themselves..
  novembre 17, 2009 @ 10:10 EST

  
  

• Jen

  Great story. Not only a worthy cause, but an entertaining story. Good lcuk!
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 7:43 EST

  
  

• Jen

  Good LUCK!
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 7:44 EST

  
  

• Anne L

  Thanks for the terrific story Bill! I`ll be voting often.
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 9:53 EST

  
  

• Chantal

  Vote, vote, vote!!! We need to see our kids moving, playing and having fun in the playground.
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 3:26 EST

  
  

• justamom

  As a mom of 3 kids who have passed through the doors of SES, it would be so nice to see something done for the future students of this wonderful school.
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 7:56 EST

  
  

• KAndrade

  We have to win this!!! Would b
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 9:11 EST

  
  

• Anonymous

  Please vote daily and send a message to friends and family to help out. We can do this! Yes, we can.
  novembre 25, 2009 @ 2:15 EST

  
  

• Doug

  A great idea that needed so much.
  novembre 25, 2009 @ 4:04 EST

  
  

• evelynrose

  I am on the playground every day with children whose manageability depends on the use of the playground swings. And I keep noticing that more and more children seem to need this simple equipment to cope with their frustrations and anxiety. It is remarkable to watch the faces of these children while swinging -- their expressions tell it all. Unfortunately, there are not enough swings for all who need them, and although the old swings are not in the best condition, they sure do the trick for those who are fortunate enough to get one. (The social skills developed while learning to share the limited resources is also priceless!)
  novembre 26, 2009 @ 7:51 EST

  
  

• justamom

  You can vot for this great cause on a daily basis....please do!!
  novembre 26, 2009 @ 10:37 EST

  
  

• mrichard

  I may not be a graduate of SES, but I remember when my school got a playgroud facelift how better off the students were, and how grateful we all were to those who made it possible. I hope the kids at SES have the same opportunities I had when I was growing up. Best of luck to you all!
  novembre 26, 2009 @ 11:02 EST

  
  

• Fowler Clan

  Hi there - we live in Toronto, Ontario - voting for your playground idea as I truly believe that kids need a place every single day to burn some of their energy!!! Gives them a great outlet. I really hope that your school wins! Good luck.
  novembre 27, 2009 @ 11:30 EST

  
  

• justamom

  If you have facebook, you could post this on your page...it's an easy way to get all your friends and families to vote.
  novembre 27, 2009 @ 2:43 EST

  
  

• Anonymous

  We only have two days left. Let's may a concerted effort.------.if there is WILL there is a way! VOTE today, tomorrow and the next day.
  novembre 27, 2009 @ 8:54 EST