Butler Elementary District 53 is getting a little help from its friends to bring new playgrounds this summer to both Butler Junior High and Brook Forest School.
The district’s Parent-Teacher Organization has contributed $25,000 to the playground project, and the Oak Brook Park District is handling installation of the playground at the junior high.
District 53 is covering the bulk of the costs, which include purchase of playground equipment from NuToys Leisure Products for $48,230 for Brook Forest and $18,017 for Butler Junior High. Installation of the Brook Forest School playground by Green-Up will cost $34,718.
District 53 superintendent Heidi Wennstrom estimated a savings of about $13,000 by park district staff installing the Butler Junior High playground.
Wennstrom said there are a multitude of benefits that come from children spending time with their peers in play.
“Play is a necessary part of childhood,” she said. “Outdoor play can boost and invigorate children’s bodies and brains so they are fully ready to engage in the learning process.”
Wennstrom said she believes children who are encouraged to play with their classmates and peers will strengthen their motor skills, expand their imaginations, increase social interaction and help development friendships.
“During unstructured play time, children will practice and strengthen social and emotional learning and develop positive social skills,” she said.
District 53 officials removed a piece of modular playground equipment from Butler Junior High nearly five years ago after it was damaged, they believed, by skateboards, leaving a swing set for use.
“This is a larger piece here than just the school,” Wennstrom said, noting that playgrounds at the schools often are used during non-school hours by children living nearby.
Wennstrom said installation of new playground equipment is scheduled for June.
cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter @chuckwriting
