To: The Community Preservation Act Committee
Support the Ms. Agna playground expansion!
Dear members of the Community Preservation Act Committee:
Please fund the Ms. Agna Playground expansion and the development of an outdoor classroom at Jackson Street School. The goal of this work is to ensure that all Jackson Street Elementary School students and families, as well as members of the wider community -- regardless of ability --, have play structures and associated outdoor learning and gathering centers, which address their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development needs.
Please fund the Ms. Agna Playground expansion and the development of an outdoor classroom at Jackson Street School. The goal of this work is to ensure that all Jackson Street Elementary School students and families, as well as members of the wider community -- regardless of ability --, have play structures and associated outdoor learning and gathering centers, which address their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development needs.
Why is this important?
This past June, due to increasing safety concerns, Jackson Street School had to make the very tough decision to remove the volunteer-built and beloved wooden structure, which had become an iconic play space for generations of Northampton families. As sad as the Jackson Street community was to bid farewell to the structure and gathering space, it views this moment as an opportunity to create a truly accessible, environmentally sound play and educational space, tied in greater measure to the best practices of outdoor play and learning which aid in building minds, bodies, and community.
After a period of reflection and dialogue where students, faculty, staff, and families considered their options for moving forward, the Jackson Street community decided to expand a remaining play space (lovingly called the Ms. Agna Playground) and add an outdoor classroom, rather than build an entirely new playground. The community felt that this decision would yield the best stewardship of public and private resources and have the greatest positive impact.
We must raise $246,771 and we need the CPA's help to do it!
After a period of reflection and dialogue where students, faculty, staff, and families considered their options for moving forward, the Jackson Street community decided to expand a remaining play space (lovingly called the Ms. Agna Playground) and add an outdoor classroom, rather than build an entirely new playground. The community felt that this decision would yield the best stewardship of public and private resources and have the greatest positive impact.
We must raise $246,771 and we need the CPA's help to do it!