‘Like a complete makeover’: New playground opens at Monroeville school

Not so long ago, the area behind Dr. Cleveland Steward Jr. Elementary School looked nothing like it does today.

“We had blacktop and we had grass,” third-grade teacher Emily Levine said. “So that’s why we wanted this playground so badly. It’s like a complete makeover, and we couldn’t feel more blessed by the community rallying behind us.”

The new play equipment at the Monroeville school was unveiled a few hours after classes ended on April 28, and dozens of students turned out with their family members to celebrate the addition.

“We’re not going to have a traditional cutting,” Eric Knorr, Steward principal, told the youngsters after ceremonial blue plastic was stretched across one side of the playground. “We’re going to have you walk through the ribbon.”

They did so at the count of three, ready to enjoy the fruits of fundraising by the school’s parent-teacher organization.

“We’ve been after a playground for a very long time, and we decided this was going to be our year,” Levine, who led efforts to bring in money, said. “We needed $40,000 to make our dream come to life here, and we were very fortunate to have the support of the community, the students, the staff. All the stakeholders came together.

“And as you can see, the kids are just so excited to have this. It really makes recess that much more enjoyable for them.”

In welcoming guests to the unveiling, Knorr provided a bit of education regarding the history of playgrounds. They originated in Germany, an invention of educator Friedrich Froebel, and made it to the United States by way of Boston in 1886.

“At the time, they were seen as a way to keep kids off the streets, and develop good health and socialization skills, and to just overall enjoy the benefits of being a child,” Knorr said. “Even as adults, I’m sure we all remember what our favorite playgrounds looked like. We remember their names and where we would walk to enjoy them.”

Naturally, he is enthusiastic about having one at his Gateway School District building.

“The value to our school community of this playground, to our kids, it’s immeasurable,” he said. “I’m just so proud to be here this evening to enjoy the moment with everyone.”

Levine got to the heart of the matter by asking:

“Kids, do you love the playground?”

She was greeted by a resounding, “Yeah!”

“And that’s what’s important. We wanted our students to have what every other student in Monroeville and Pitcairn had access to,” she said, telling those who helped bring the playground to fruition: “Your money went to good use. Thank you so much for believing in the project and supporting your children.”