Sojourner Truth Academy Playground

Website

http://www.sojournertruthacademy.org/

So you’re going to improve your local playground. What’s your great idea?

Sojourner Truth Academy (STA) wants to improve its playground for its 450 scholars in three ways. First two new basketball hoops would be installed giving scholars opportunities to play basketball during recess or physical education. The current basketball hoops are fifteen years old and are in need of repair. Secondly, 8 exercise stations with laminated picture instructions will be attached to the fence and the materials needed for the station located in a basket below. Additionally, there is no green space on the playground currently. A small green space with a tree would be installed to provide scholars with some shade and an additional place to play.

Which local nonprofit, school, or park district will you work with, and how will you work with them to choose a playground for the project?

Heidi Wise, Gina Privatsky and Meghan Morse will be designing the playground upgrades. Meghan Morse, Volunteer Coordinator from Hands-On Twin Cities, will help design the green space and research quality basketball hoops. Heidi Wise, Grant Writer, will work closely with Meghan to plan the playground. Gina Privatsky, Physical Education Teacher, will design the exercise stations. Collaboration is a key element in making the playground upgrades a success.

How will you involve local volunteers in the playground project?

STA has a partnership with Hands-On Twin Cities, an organization that organizes volunteers for service projects around the metro area. STA will be working closely with Meghan Morse, volunteer coordinator, to organize the volunteers needed to install the two basketball hoops, exercise stations, and a green space. Meghan will coordinate 10 volunteers from a local business, such Boston Scientific. Additionally, STA will have assistance from three different AmeriCorps volunteers.

Tell us about the kids that will be using the playground.

STA has a student body of 450 PreK - 8 scholars from the local neighborhood and surrounding suburbs. 97% of scholars at STA are living below the poverty level. 75% of scholars are African American. 24% of scholars are Hispanic and 1% are Caucasian. Many scholars do not have access to green spaces or backyards due to apartment living or the safety of the neighborhood. The playground at STA provides them with a safe and enjoyable place to play outside.

Discussion

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