ORANGE PARK — The Argyle Elementary Pioneers celebrated the grand opening of a new place for students to explore and play on Jan. 29.
The school cut the ribbon on its new playground, surrounded by Principal Mary Dorsch, Assistant Principals Dr. Casey Leone and Olivia Smith, students, families, members of the community and Clay County District Schools personnel, including Superintendent David Broskie and school board members Erin Skipper and Beth Clark.
“This year at Argyle we’re celebrating 20 years of being Pioneers. So, it was very exciting. It almost felt like this beautiful gift for our community, for our school, for our students,” Dorsch said.
It was a highly anticipated moment for the school, who underwent extensive renovations early last year, which included painting, new carpeting and the new outside play area. Construction on the playground lasted about five weeks, Dorsch said.
“The process started with laying out the timeline, you know, what it’s going to look like. Start preparing our school-based leaders,” she said.
When she first became principal last year, Dorsch said the playground project was one of the first things she began working on. The original playground, which had been around since the school’s opening, was in need of maintenance.
Faculty and students were involved with the redesign process every step of the way, she added.
“Having the conversation about different career paths that are involved in creating the playground so that the kids could not only see a playground being built but potentially see a future and maybe a career that they wanted to pursue.”
Dorsch said the space is designed as a place for students to run, jump and learn in a safe environment. It features custom blue and teal slides and swing sets, as well as monkey bars. The colors, Dorsch said, reflect the school’s branding.
“Playing at the playground is a life skill. So, we want to make sure that students are at the center of everything we do.”
During the special ceremony, Argyle Elementary fifth-grader Mia gave a heartfelt speech about what the new space meant to her. Mia has been with the Argyle family since pre-K, Dorsch said. Soon after, she picked up the large scissors and snipped the ribbon.
With every day that the new equipment is used, Dorsch said the school has seen an increase in student productivity. There are fewer twiddling thumbs and more engaging behaviors.
“We’re seeing less of that as a student population because they’re able to engage and play. That’s so important.”
Moving forward, Dorsch said the school hopes the playground will continue to have an outstanding impact on the school’s academic, social and extracurricular culture. Last year, she said, 90% of students said they knew someone at the school believed in them.
“I think that’s powerful. For a student to feel like this is their safe place. That is somewhere they can come and be looked after. They can be taught to achieve academically. So, I’m just excited for our culture.”