Tangible results build excitement in Debert

Spinner and outdoor classroom are now in place with more to come

DEBERT - A new, inclusive piece of playground equipment and a large structure to host outdoor classes outdoor on the grounds at Debert Elementary School, has students smiling and community members talking.

Led by members of the Debert Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Playground Initiative, the group has hit the ground running – or spinning in this case – with the installation of a Volta inclusive spinner.

“I think of it as a new, school merry-go-round,” said Alisha Johnson, PTA cochair. “The kids are loving it; the community is loving it. I came down a few evenings recently and it was amazing to see how many families were here using it.”

Johnson said the spinner is the first new equipment to be added to the school’s playground in a long time. A wood-chip base makes it accessible to wheelchairs and walkers, as well as providing a soft landing for any unexpected falls.

“And even the teachers are enjoying it,” Johnson said, with a chuckle.

The only thing drawing attention away from the spinner was work on the outdoor classroom space at the far end of the school grounds.

The community has come together to build the octagonshaped structure where classes will take place, and which is expected to be utilized by residents during nonschool hours.

“The kids enjoyed watching Danny Mackay Construction work on this last week,” Johnson said, as the noise of nails being hammered in place could be heard in the background. “It’s not quite done but it will be soon.”

Other local businesses contributing to the structure were Masstown Market, which supplied the materials, Mike Turner from Turner’s Excavation, and Culgin Construction, both donating time and materials. Darren Milner of Quality Aggregates also donated gravel for some of the work.

“This will provide a change of pace, a change of scenery,” school principal Stephen Fultz said of the structure. “It’s a chance to get away from their normal classroom and do something different. And there is a ton of room.”

Room as well to create trails and other attractions nearby the structure which are in the works.

“We’re in an area where nature is close by so it’s a chance to interact a little more intimately with our surroundings,” Fultz said. “That is a very positive thing, more sun, vitamin D.”

Johnson said she can see families utilizing the structure to host a weekend birthday party or as the base for a community function.

Five ‘birds’ nest’ swings are to be installed near the structure.

“They look like little hammocks,” Johnson said, adding they’ll be wheelchair accessible as well.

“This is what we wanted,” Johnson said. “We wanted this to be a community project so the community would be proud of this.” Honouring Lisa Mccully The work to improve the playground around the school is being done in memory of Lisa Mccully – a Grade 3 and 4 teacher who was one of the victims of the mass shooting casualties from April of 2020.

“Lisa Mccully was one of the teachers here and they thought this might be a nice way to honour her, by dedicating this to her,” Fultz said. “She loved kids and the outdoors; it’s a good fit.”

Katie Devine’s mother Heather O’brien was another victim.

“The community support has been amazing,” Devine, PTA secretary, said while describing the initiative as a “passion project.”

For more on the work, visit the group's Facebook page.