“It Feels Like Happiness”—A Message from the Student Playground Leadership Team
My name is Erin Sahacic, and I’m a longtime Thoreau parent with a fourth grader, Vanessa, and two older kiddos who have already moved on to other buildings. This year, I’ve had the honor of advising Thoreau’s Student Playground Leadership Team. Witnessing the enthusiasm, anticipation, and boundless creativity of these eight young leaders has been both energizing and a powerful reminder of why this project matters.
During a recent meeting, the students, Principal Sparks, and I talked about what play means, why it matters at school, and their hopes for our new playground. Although I have plenty of thoughts on the subject, what’s most valuable are the words of our children. I hope you’ll savor their perspectives in this post, and let them transport you back to your own cherished memories of play—those unbridled moments that shape our bodies, minds, and hearts.
Erin Sahacic
Playground Committee Member
Excerpts from the Student Discussion
On the importance of play:
“When I come back from recess, I feel more focused. Usually I got out some of my energy and talked to my friends.”
“I think it's important to play at school, because if you were working all day, it could be tiring and you'd need a break. Sometimes during the school day you can't really socialize because you're working.”
“I mean riding a zip line maybe and going really high on a windy day on the swings. It's just the experience of wind blowing through your face, and going down the slide - it feels like happiness.”
On creating play opportunities on the new playground:
“Climbing to the top (of a structure) is exciting. You enjoy being up high and seeing the world kind of empty below. It just makes it exhilarating and exciting - more fun.”
“We definitely want everyone to feel like they are part of it - can be playing together. And I like how the playground is accessive to all, like kids with different abilities.”
“I like the benches all around because if you're going out there you can eat your snack, or just sit down and talk with your friends, or spend time alone.”
On the importance of the musical equipment they selected:
“Well, to put an air of peacefulness around (the new playground).”
“I like the idea of getting a chance to be around all different people but making something special together. You have to be there and in it to feel the magic of it.”
On their anticipation of the playground being built:
“It's gonna take a long time for us to figure out new fun, weird games to play on the new structures and stuff.”
“People from other towns can come since it's, like, pretty amazing.”
“On weekends we can meet there. In the summer the student playground committee could meet there or something, because that would be cool - going back a lot. Other people too - that would be fun!”
A Message from The Student Playground Leadership Team
Last year we were in 3rd grade. Mr. Sparks told all of the students at Thoreau that we were building a new playground and he needed a student leadership committee. Our 3rd grade teachers chose two students from each class to join. We had our first meeting and were introduced to each other and the project. We also came up with some goals and equipment we wanted on the playground. We knew we wanted a zip line, places to climb, and lots of different kinds of swings!
Fast forward - now we’re 4th graders and are excited to be included this year on big decisions for the design of the new playground. We have had a chance to talk about the design and make decisions about what equipment should be included. We’ve been meeting each week on Friday afternoon with Principal Sparks and Erin. We decided to do a fun event for the students to get them all involved, excited, and informed. This event was a coin challenge with all of the money going towards musical equipment.
Musical equipment is important because it’s different, you don’t see it everywhere, and it fits in with the park atmosphere. We listened to a whole bunch of different musical options and all agreed that the Street Quartet was the best because it sounded peaceful and would make for a great gathering place for all to enjoy.
We have had a few opportunities to share about our group with the entire school. We got to do two separate videos for the community to introduce ourselves and the project. We also got to talk at an all school meeting where all of the students could hear from us about the project and our fundraiser.
For our big fundraiser we decided it would be fun to see which grade could raise the most money. We spent time deciding what prizes we could offer to the highest grade earner and an all-school prize when we meet our goal. During January, Thoreau students got to drop coins and bills into grade level coin collection jugs. Some dropped in pennies and others put large bills like twenties and even fifties. At the end of the challenge we counted all of the coins and bills and also rolled up the coins. Our school raised $875.76 in one month! We also discovered that the Kindergarten won…by a lot! They will now get to have a frozen treat party on Friday February 14th in the cafeteria! We’re sure they will love their treat. While we came close to our goal of raising $1,000, we are still $124.24 short of our goal. We are going to continue trying to earn the rest of the money so our entire school can celebrate together.
We’ve been making thank you notes for everyone who has donated as well as special buttons, which are available in the Thoreau main office. We’re proud to be a part of building this great playground for students and will get to enjoy it next year as 5th graders. Many kids will enjoy this space for years and years. We all had so much fun helping with this project and can’t wait to start building this summer.
The Student Playground Leadership Team
Archie Kinch
Eli Ajemian
Gautam Siva
Leo Routhier
Madison Taranto
Robbie Morgan
Simon Goodrich
Stella Wang
