Acton school holds events to repair play equipment

McKenzie-Smith Bennett School students, (from left) Emily Secord, Dawson Sommerville, Megan Sommerville and Brian Secord try out the new playground games painted on the asphalt by Parent Council volunteers.

Acton school holds events to repair play equipment

On Saturday June 3, a group of dedicated parents and students spruced up the faded blacktop for students at McKenzie-Smith Bennett (MSB) Public School in Acton. Much to the surprise of the 600-plus students, a bevy of freshly painted games greeted them on Monday morning. Shouts of, "Hey this cool" and "What game should we play next" were heard across the yard. In addition to repainting the plethora of traditional school yard games like Four Square, Hopscotch and Snakes and Ladders, a new mini floor hockey rink was painted along with tic-tactoe. For the senior students, their basketball courts were also given a coat of fresh paint. New basketball hoops are also on their way, courtesy of Parent School Council's Don't Bug Me fundraiser this year. The fundraiser also helped purchase new team pullovers, computer equipment and playground toys such as balls and skipping ropes. Parents also planted fresh new plants around the front of a school that has needed a little tender loving care. The paint was generously donated by Metro Pavement Markings of Acton and Home Hardware helped provide other supplies at cost. Next on the MSB's fundraising list is new playground equipment for the adjacent yard to the school. The old wooden play equipment was deemed unsafe by the Town and it was torn down, much to the disappointment of the students and surrounding community. The anticipated cost for the first phase of the new play equipment is $25,000. The Parent Council is looking to families, local businesses and service groups to help raise the necessary funds. Fundraising events scheduled so far include a Trunk Sale at the north parking lot of the school on June 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., stop by to shop or donate some items. Raffle tickets are also being sold at the school for Hamilton Tiger Cats events which have been kindly donated by Halton Learning Foundation and MSB Cookbooks with recipes supplied by parents and students will be on sale shortly. Contact Principal Dave Swanson for tickets and details or e-mail the Council at msbplayground@haltonhills.com.