KINGSTON — Gordon Elementary students have something new to look forward to at recess.

The Gordon Elementary School PTA finished a $6,000 project Nov. 23 that brought in new and safer playground equipment for students to use on their breaks. With a cap of $10,000, the playground improvements were funded by the PTA’s annual “Springfling” auction.

The equipment was dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by school principal Claudia Peetz and Gordon PTA co-president Scott Larson.

“The amount of raw energy these kids have at recess is phenomenal,” said Larson. “We’re going to continue spending every bit of (the budget on equipment).”

Bis Halady, the Administrative Teacher-on-special-assignment, said she thinks the best thing about the recess equipment is helping kids release energy that in turn aides their focus in the classroom.

“For many of the kids, this exercise is important,” Halady said. “When they get their energy out at recess, they are more ready to learn.”

Halady said the new playground will offer something for everyone.

“Having different choices for different children is important,” she said. “Some of the toys are individual, some are more group-oriented.”

The PTA, when selecting the equipment, looked at several options, including safety and variety. They also had a little help from those who enjoy the playground most.

“At recess, (PTA co-president) Jessica (Larson) would go out with a catalogue and ask what the kids wanted,” Larson said.

He also said he believes teachers will benefit from the new equipment as well, by having children that are more focused in class due to a better energy outlet at recess.”

“I think (the new equipment) will make teachers much happier,” Larson said.

Peetz said she is also thrilled with the school’s new-look recess.

“This equipment is safer and the best part is the kids got to help in the selection,” Peetz said.

Larson praised his fellow PTA members’ involvement in the project. He said several donors, including Fred Hill Materials, which donated pea-gravel, and Premier Rental of Kingston, which donated a tractor, also helped keep costs down.

Peetz said the work the PTA has done on the playground has helped to ensure the students have a safe place to vent energy and help them focus in class.

“In this day in age, there is an extreme focus on academics,” she explained. “We want to make sure we have positive activities for them to do.” By JOSH FARLEY

Staff Writer

KINGSTON — Gordon Elementary students have something new to look forward to at recess.

The Gordon Elementary School PTA finished a $6,000 project Nov. 23 that brought in new and safer playground equipment for students to use on their breaks. With a cap of $10,000, the playground improvements were funded by the PTA’s annual “Springfling” auction.

The equipment was dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by school principal Claudia Peetz and Gordon PTA co-president Scott Larson.

“The amount of raw energy these kids have at recess is phenomenal,” said Larson. “We’re going to continue spending every bit of (the budget on equipment).”

Bis Halady, the Administrative Teacher-on-special-assignment, said she thinks the best thing about the recess equipment is helping kids release energy that in turn aides their focus in the classroom.

“For many of the kids, this exercise is important,” Halady said. “When they get their energy out at recess, they are more ready to learn.”

Halady said the new playground will offer something for everyone.

“Having different choices for different children is important,” she said. “Some of the toys are individual, some are more group-oriented.”

The PTA, when selecting the equipment, looked at several options, including safety and variety. They also had a little help from those who enjoy the playground most.

“At recess, (PTA co-president) Jessica (Larson) would go out with a catalogue and ask what the kids wanted,” Larson said.

He also said he believes teachers will benefit from the new equipment as well, by having children that are more focused in class due to a better energy outlet at recess.”

“I think (the new equipment) will make teachers much happier,” Larson said.

Peetz said she is also thrilled with the school’s new-look recess.

“This equipment is safer and the best part is the kids got to help in the selection,” Peetz said.

Larson praised his fellow PTA members’ involvement in the project. He said several donors, including Fred Hill Materials, which donated pea-gravel, and Premier Rental of Kingston, which donated a tractor, also helped keep costs down.

Peetz said the work the PTA has done on the playground has helped to ensure the students have a safe place to vent energy and help them focus in class.

“In this day in age, there is an extreme focus on academics,” she explained. “We want to make sure we have positive activities for them to do.” By JOSH FARLEY

Staff Writer

KINGSTON — Gordon Elementary students have something new to look forward to at recess.

The Gordon Elementary School PTA finished a $6,000 project Nov. 23 that brought in new and safer playground equipment for students to use on their breaks. With a cap of $10,000, the playground improvements were funded by the PTA’s annual “Springfling” auction.

The equipment was dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by school principal Claudia Peetz and Gordon PTA co-president Scott Larson.

“The amount of raw energy these kids have at recess is phenomenal,” said Larson. “We’re going to continue spending every bit of (the budget on equipment).”

Bis Halady, the Administrative Teacher-on-special-assignment, said she thinks the best thing about the recess equipment is helping kids release energy that in turn aides their focus in the classroom.

“For many of the kids, this exercise is important,” Halady said. “When they get their energy out at recess, they are more ready to learn.”

Halady said the new playground will offer something for everyone.

“Having different choices for different children is important,” she said. “Some of the toys are individual, some are more group-oriented.”

The PTA, when selecting the equipment, looked at several options, including safety and variety. They also had a little help from those who enjoy the playground most.

“At recess, (PTA co-president) Jessica (Larson) would go out with a catalogue and ask what the kids wanted,” Larson said.

He also said he believes teachers will benefit from the new equipment as well, by having children that are more focused in class due to a better energy outlet at recess.”

“I think (the new equipment) will make teachers much happier,” Larson said.

Peetz said she is also thrilled with the school’s new-look recess.

“This equipment is safer and the best part is the kids got to help in the selection,” Peetz said.

Larson praised his fellow PTA members’ involvement in the project. He said several donors, including Fred Hill Materials, which donated pea-gravel, and Premier Rental of Kingston, which donated a tractor, also helped keep costs down.

Peetz said the work the PTA has done on the playground has helped to ensure the students have a safe place to vent energy and help them focus in class.

“In this day in age, there is an extreme focus on academics,” she explained. “We want to make sure we have positive activities for them to do.” By JOSH FARLEY

Staff Writer

KINGSTON — Gordon Elementary students have something new to look forward to at recess.

The Gordon Elementary School PTA finished a $6,000 project Nov. 23 that brought in new and safer playground equipment for students to use on their breaks. With a cap of $10,000, the playground improvements were funded by the PTA’s annual “Springfling” auction.

The equipment was dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by school principal Claudia Peetz and Gordon PTA co-president Scott Larson.

“The amount of raw energy these kids have at recess is phenomenal,” said Larson. “We’re going to continue spending every bit of (the budget on equipment).”

Bis Halady, the Administrative Teacher-on-special-assignment, said she thinks the best thing about the recess equipment is helping kids release energy that in turn aides their focus in the classroom.

“For many of the kids, this exercise is important,” Halady said. “When they get their energy out at recess, they are more ready to learn.”

Halady said the new playground will offer something for everyone.

“Having different choices for different children is important,” she said. “Some of the toys are individual, some are more group-oriented.”

The PTA, when selecting the equipment, looked at several options, including safety and variety. They also had a little help from those who enjoy the playground most.

“At recess, (PTA co-president) Jessica (Larson) would go out with a catalogue and ask what the kids wanted,” Larson said.

He also said he believes teachers will benefit from the new equipment as well, by having children that are more focused in class due to a better energy outlet at recess.”

“I think (the new equipment) will make teachers much happier,” Larson said.

Peetz said she is also thrilled with the school’s new-look recess.

“This equipment is safer and the best part is the kids got to help in the selection,” Peetz said.

Larson praised his fellow PTA members’ involvement in the project. He said several donors, including Fred Hill Materials, which donated pea-gravel, and Premier Rental of Kingston, which donated a tractor, also helped keep costs down.

Peetz said the work the PTA has done on the playground has helped to ensure the students have a safe place to vent energy and help them focus in class.

“In this day in age, there is an extreme focus on academics,” she explained. “We want to make sure we have positive activities for them to do.”