When Summit Academy Community School – Parma third-grade student Vivienne Schoger expressed her desire for a slide at her school playground, the school community took note. Vivienne, who made her modest plea by way of a persuasive writing assignment last year, will soon swoop down the slide she inspired. It is part of a brand-new school playground made possible through donations raised by the school and Summit Educational Foundation.
“After visiting Summit Academy several months ago, I was very impressed with the school’s programming and the way the teachers cared for the students. A donation to Summit Academy positively impacts the lives of young people in own our community. What better way to exercise than on a playground,” says Joe Musca, who presented a leadership gift toward the project.
The 2,368-square-foot playground, which sports Summit Academy’s signature green, includes a double-wave slide, pebble climber, pod climbers, overhead snake ladder and four swings. It replaces an antiquated playground, composed primarily of climbing bar and swings, installed more than 15 years ago. For students with special needs, the new playground equipment will provide therapeutic attributes.
“The swings offer back-and-forth motion and the pod climbers move up and down as you step on them. The repetitive motion is really helpful to our students with autism,” says Principal Alexandra Morris.
Simply having the safe and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space will benefit students at all grade levels and on many levels, adds Morris. “It’s not only giving students a real opportunity to release energy and to have fun on a day-to-day basis,” she says, “but also gives them a place to go to self-regulate or calm down if they are having a hard time navigating their emotions.”
While the playground awaits finishing touches, including an anticipated new fence, the fundraising campaign continues toward its $45,000 goal. As of late July, the campaign raised more than $40,300 in revenue and/or pledges.
Leo Hyland, Executive Director of the Summit Educational Foundation, which supports fundraising initiatives for Summit Academy Schools, praised past Principal Noriliz Santiago and current Principal Alexandra Morris for spearheading the fundraising effort.
Contributions include a $10,000 donation from Ken Ganley Chevrolet and the Chevy Network Dealers. “All the Ken Ganley dealerships are active in our communities. We love to give back, and this is a great cause to help the children of this school,” says Ken Ganley Chevrolet General Manager Jim Helton.
Among the multiple donations toward the playground are those that came from families and friends of the school. Nancy Inman, whose son, Colton, graduated from Summit Academy Community School – Parma in May, is one of those donors. Her contribution to the playground is an expression of gratitude to Summit Academy.
“Summit Academy not only gave [my son] a solid start in life as a contributing member of a community, they taught him what mutual respect looks like and how to act in self-respect. They also preserved a family in peace,” says Inman, explaining her desire to give back to Summit Academy. “To sum it up, Colton was loved and that love now spreads from one school to one person and radiates to a whole community. Had we stayed in his previous school system, I feel confident the outcome would’ve been the opposite and I wouldn’t have the healthy son I do today. I am a proud parent of a proud graduate of Summit Academy.”
Summit Academy Director of Facilities Beverly Locke says she was delighted to oversee this project. She adds that the K-12 school, located at 5868 Stumph Road in Parma, will also see other improvements this school year, including new windows and a new HVAC system. The new playground, however, is an exceptional point of pride.
“We’re thankful for the new installation of a playground for our children. Not only does it offer a place for recreational enjoyment but an environment where children can develop coordination skills, run, jump, play, take turns and establish friendships,” Locke says.
A special playground dedication ceremony will be held for students, families, staff members and friends of Summit Academy Community School – Parma on Friday, August 9, 2-3 p.m. Morris expects the new addition will set the 2024-2025 school year off on an exciting start.
“The new playground is going to be exciting for all our students. It’s something that’s really going to kick off a positive start to the school year,” Morris says.
To donate to the project, visit https://summitacademies.org/donate/ and select Parma School Playground under the Fund* tab.