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ALBANY, NY
(September 2004) What a difference a day makes. At the start of the day
on Thursday, October 28, there was empty space outside of Philip J.
Schuyler Achievement Academy. By 2:30 that afternoon, a brand new
playground was in place, thanks to 150 volunteers, including Home Depot
employees, parents, and faculty (above).
The playground (right) was made possible with help from The Home Depot
and KaBOOM!, a non-profit organization that builds playgrounds all over
the United States.
"This is a
wonderful lesson for our students about the power of teamwork," said
Principal Dorinda Davis. "Many hands make light work, and that's what
this was."
Davis joined Superintendent Dr. Eva C. Joseph, Albany Mayor Gerald
Jennings, Albany County Executive Michael Breslin, State Senator Neil
Breslin, Assemblyman Jack McEneny, and Board member Patricia Fahy in a
ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate the playground (above).
"We were excited to have Home Depot and KaBOOM! work with us to build a
new playground for these kids," said Dr. Joseph. "Students need a place
to develop and strengthen their minds and bodies through physical
activity. This playground will help them do both. We talk about business
partnerships all the time, and the district's partnership with Home
Depot and KaBOOM! is but one example of adults coming together to do
what's best for children. We can't thank them enough."
What makes this playground unique is that children from Philip J.
Schuyler Achievement Academy provided their own visions on what the
ideal playground should look like -- these ideas were integrated into
its design and construction. The playground also includes benches and a
map of the United States painted on the blacktop. To add a touch of
creative flair to the school, volunteers painted a mural on the wall of
the school cafeteria (above).
Joyce Timmons, an employee at the Home Depot in Schenectady, took time
off from work to volunteer her services for the project.
"I live in the Albany community and I know some of the kids here at the
school," said Timmons. "This is a great way to give back to the kids.
They need as much support and commitment from parents, teachers and
volunteers as we can give them. The old saying 'It takes a village to
raise a child' is still true."
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The City School
District of Albany serves almost 9,400 students in 19
elementary, middle and high schools. The district includes several
magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic
opportunities for students in addition to neighborhood schools. The
district is more than halfway through its comprehensive facilities
project to newly build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary
and middle schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is
to provide schools with the resources necessary to help students
succeed in the 21st Century.
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