Cleaning Parents Allow Kids To Play

By AMY DAVIS

The Progress

Most children would argue that the best part of elementary school is recess. But with COVID restrictions in place, local kids have been denied the simple joy of letting loose on the playground.

Fortunately, that situation changed on Tuesday, Sept 7. Volunteers, made up of mostly moms, showed up with cleaning rags in hand to disinfect playgrounds in between each lunch recess. With a newly cleaned playground each period, students could now use the equipment at recess.

When parents at a SOT meeting were informed recently that 24 out of 30 playgrounds were allowing recess, one important question was asked: What do we need to do to get our kids an approved playground time? “Just tell us where the barrier is so we can break it down,” said parent Michelle West.

VVES Principal Matt Bennett explained that he could authorize playground use if district guidelines were met. The school protocol is based on the CDC recommendations which state that playground equipment should be cleaned at least daily or in between use as much as possible.

So parents decided that they could take on the job to clean the playground. They sent out a call for volunteers and the call was answered.

“When I heard there was a plan in place to get the kids playing in the playground, I was happy to help however I could,” parent Jamie Spilker said. “It is so important for kids to be active. With the extreme heat there really wasn’t much for them to do at recess.”

The playground is the only shaded play area on the school playground, Spilker observed.

West was instrumental in coordinating the parent groups. “It’s been a time-consuming process to schedule four different people to clean each day,” West said. “However, it is very rewarding as the children excitedly run for the play structure. They are so thankful and happy. I have teared up a few times as the children shout ‘thank-you’s.’”

“It was so amazing to hear the excitement and see the smiles of the students as they came out of the lunchroom to play,” said volunteer cleaner Brooke Whipple. “As a parent, it was great to see some normalcy back in the kids’ days. And we had so many kids tell us thank you!”

Whipple concluded, “I want to thank Michelle West for taking charge and getting the playgrounds open. She is a gem in our community.”

First grader, Rozlyn Ellis says, “it is so fun to play with the other kids in my class after a very, very long time of not being able to play on the equipment.”

Bennett said he is working on getting a Microban Disinfectant spray approved. Once he does, the playground will only need to be cleaned once a week.

In the meantime, volunteers are still needed Monday through-Friday from 11:00 AM to 2 PM. Parents/volunteers can sign up in shifts for a one-hour times slot each. Two to three people cover each shift. Cleaning products and gloves are provided. It takes less than 5 minutes to clean all of the high touch surfaces between each group of students.

For information on how to help contact Michelle West at lovecraft@yahoo.com.