Due to delays in District 97 planning process for the new playground, Wednesday, January 11th’s regularly scheduled General PTO meeting has been postponed until February 15 at 7:00 PM.
The Board will make a final selection for a landscape architect on February 14th and we hope to have that firm present at the meeting on February 15 to hear Beye PTO input. We expect to distribute a survey soon seeking your input. We plan to discuss this in detail in February and apologize for any inconvenience.
FThe Beye school playground is a beloved tradition that kids cherish . We fondly remember playing on the playground before, during, and after school . We were concerned when we heard that you would be changing the overall structure of the school yard . The kids really enjoyed playing under the gazebos which are a unique feature of the playground. The woodchips that the playground has is a charm. It blends in with the surroundings, and doesn’t look like all the new and ugly bars and rails . Kids spend hours on the glider and the lines for swings frequently are long during lunch recess. The structure of the playground has almost, if not everything kid could want in a playground . It has space to run and jump, it has things to climb , and space for hide and seek. In first and second grade we played games every single day. In fourth grade we played the same game on the structure near the swings on the “big kids “playground. This was a very fun game and could only be played in this location.
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> We understand that the playground is getting to be a little out of date and there may be some things that are broken and needs to be replaced. If this is the case then anything that is broken may be replaced. We also understand that the PTO may want to make additions or demolish it and start from scratch. Being kids we know a lot about playgrounds, and have some tips that may just be necessary:
> 1 The playground should be colorful because many good games involve color and secondly it is better to look it.
> 2 KEEP THE TURTLE we know that it has a chunk missing from its head but you can fill it in with concrete.
> 3 The second level of the playground should not be too narrow. It should have space for running.
> 4 The gazebos provide shelter and shade and make the playground a unique space . It is very important that a playground has its own special charm; a common playground is no fun to go to and is not as good for a community as good and special as Oak Park.
> 5 Use woodchips, the rubber pellets are hard to land/fall on.
> 6 The current Beye playground has a large space underneath the upper level that is perfect for a secret hideout and so on and so forth .
> 7 It should be fun and challenging for all ages K-5 it should have challenges that you cannot be able to do when you first arrive in kindergarten.
> 8 Things that may be good idea’s: gliders of few sizes, monkey bars, and rings
> 9 . It should be simple , challenging, and fun
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> We all hold the Beye playground dear in our hearts and we sincerely hope that you will not be destroying those bars, beloved rails and slides that at are packed with so many fun memories of school and friends. Thank you for your time.
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> School alum:
> Joseph Corbett, and Zachary Brown
Class of 2011
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Gentlemen-
Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughtful input.
We summarized over 450 school wide survey responses to D97 and the Landscape Architects yesterday. They will be at our PTO meeting next Wednesday, Feb 15 at 7pm to hear more.
Please come participate.
Andy Kaczkowski
Co-president Beye PTO
Exactly!!!!!!!
class of 2011