Recess has never been better, or more inclusive, at Butler Elementary thanks to the community coming together with the goal to provide fun and stimulating activity for every child, including the impaired.
“This was truly a community project,” said Matt Caputto, principal at Butler elementary.
Caputto met with the Butler Parents Club last year where they expressed the desire to get a new playground with the specific goal to make it handicap accessible. At that time the club stated they had raised approximately $13,000. Kelly Donaldson of Butler reached out to the parents club and in support of the project wrote a grant, titled “Access for all Kids” in the hopes to raise additional funds.
Caputto commented on the grant stating it was specifically written to reflect a “tight knit community” taking care of all students, including those with disabilities. “It was very well written, very heart warming,” said Caputto.
The grant was then submitted to a grant program sponsored by Clorox called “Power a bright Future”. From that program Butler Elementary received a $25,000 grant. “Everything fell into place,” remarked Caputto. One by one donations began to pour in to support the vision of the parents club. Local business donated another $6000; fundraisers in the community raised another $4000.
Caputto added,”I was really impressed with the generosity of everyone.”The project received substantial donations between private donations and local businesses donating money in some cases such as Trent Dawson, Mr. Rooter Co. who donated $5000, Shelly & Sands donated time, materials and equipment.
”I can’t thank them enough for the work they have done,” said Caputto adding they did all the ground work, donating a vast amount of labor and materials. Jackson Drilling along with other local businesses, parents and the youth group from North Bend Church of the Bretheren volunteered their time and labor all in support of the project. The Board of Education provided another $5000 made available through the Permanent Improvement fund.
The project broke ground in July of this past summer and the playground set was purchased from Snider & Associates and installed on August 10. The playground set has a number of unique features that were specifically chosen to not only provide fun but to offer sensory stimulation and educational elements as well. The parents club worked with Snider & Associates and various other vendors who provided extensive product information.
They also received input from Intervention Specialist Monica Stillion and Occupational Therapist Carolyn Block. Every piece of equipment was chosen for its “higher purpose” and the goal to include all children being able to enjoy it, regardless of disabilities. The set features a wheelchair glider, the first one to be made available in Ohio and second in the nation.
“The look on their faces is priceless,” said Sally Wilson, a secretary at Butler Elementary.
There will be an official ribbon cutting ceremony on September 18 at the elementary to recognize the efforts of all those who came together with in the community to ensure access to all children.
“The look on their faces is priceless,” said Sally Wilson, a secretary at Butler Elementary.
