Woonsocket's Harris School Preps New Playground
Volunteers gathered at 6 a.m. this morning to spread wood chips for newly installed play space.
Photos
There was no shortage of elbow grease at the new playground taking shape behind Harris Elementary School this morning, where dogged volunteers bent backs and shovels to to spread 100 cubic yards of wood chips.
Three kids, Emma Costa, 5, Jade Kidwell, 8 and Lorelei Tillson, 8, weren't waiting for the finishing touches on the new playground equipment, one section for K-2nd grade and one for grades 3-5. The trio climbed the green stairs many times for a first crack at the slides.
"It's cool. I kind of like it," said Tillson.
Among the roughly dozen volunteers were teachers, parents, custodial staff at the school, and candidates for state rep Mike Morin (running against. Rep. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt for Dist. 49 in the Sept. 11 primary) and Stephen Casey (running against Rep. Jon Brien for Dist. 50 in the Sept. 11 primary).
Michelle Gautreau, co-chair of the Harris Elementary Playground Committee, said she recruited Morin during a recent School Committee meeting where she asked for volunteers. Morin offered his help, she said, and enlisted Casey's assistance, too. The duo showed up with everyone else at 8 a.m. "It's hard to get them to stop," Gautreau said.
"There's not enough funding to do projects like this so it's all volunteer work," Morin said. He said he and Steve were glad to help.
Gautreau said the Playground Committee has been raising money for the $61,000 playground for the last five years with various fundraisers. They have a about $63,000 raised for the playground, she said.
The playground equipment was installed last week, Gautreau said, and they were spending the day landscaping the wood chips around the site. The first 60 cubic yards showed up with the volunteers in the morning, she said. While they were still spreading that and muscling plastic dividers into place, the remaining 40 cubic yards, piled about six feet high, was trucked in.
The group was still hard at work at 11:30 a.m., and expected to spend the whole day at the school.
russell archambault
8:54 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
What a bunch of brilliant parents. Not enough money for books, not enough money for pencils, not enough money for needs to learn, but these brilliant parents saved for three years to get a useless playground, and to be more insulting, a candidate to get votes. Please tell me whats wrong with this picture. I cant wait for the responses to come in !!!
English first
9:24 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Russ Russ Russ..... Why do you care what other people do with their time and money?
russell archambault
8:59 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
If i was on the school committee I would propose to have that playground removed tomorrow.
russell archambault
9:33 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
wed please get your facts correct, and make a valid point. these are the same parents who want more money for education. Am i to understand you will be a no vote for me when I become a school member? Please read your stupid remarks.
Erin B.
2:16 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I hope that all of your hate-mongering comes back to haunt you in your ill-advised campaign for School Committee. Woonsocket would have to be nuts to elect someone so bitter, negative, and pointlessly contrary to office, much less into one with a say in the education of this city's young people.
Michelle Gautreau
10:52 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Harris Playground Committee is made up of a core group of mostly teachers at the school and a retired teacher. They volunteered their time during off hours for 5 years planning and hosting many fundraisers such as raffles and live and silent auctions, etc to raise enough money to build a playground that school and community children can enjoy. This is a good thing!
russell archambault
2:36 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I commend all who worked so hard for many years to raise money for their cause. With all the concernes of money these days, taxpayers in this city strugling just to survive, children having a hard time to learn and these kids getting nowhere in some cases ( im well aware of whats going on at harris) all you could come up with is a playground. By the way I dont beleive that playground can be used by the community in general. Teachers always complaining about not enough money for education. I stand with my statements. Perhaps with my view someone will look at your next project to be more what you preach. As for what you worked so hard for enjoy. In 3 years take a good look at what that playground will become.No one will take care of it and then all of you will realize what I meant. I mean no disrespect to anyone.
English first
9:28 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Russ. You are making the assumption that these people didn't do anything else for the last three years but work for this. Perhaps they are donating to cancer, or church, or shelters, or volunteering for other activities. You don't know them and you are disrespectful. As for candidates for state rep Mike Morin (running against. Rep. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt for Dist. 49 in the Sept. 11 primary) and Stephen Casey (running against Rep. Jon Brien for Dist. 50 in the Sept. 11 primary) I don't know if they were there three years ago.
Christine
4:28 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
U suck Russell all u do is get on here and comment on everything u have no life the last name says it all...
russell archambault
7:33 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
please make a valid point. I ask did you even help at all the events. you got your playground, but i bet you wouldnt help to keep it up, So i say take a good look in the mirror. You are getting everything for free so why should you do something to give back. Sorry that playground has no business at harris school.
XBOXONE RULES
9:17 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
why you didn't pay for it so why do you care? The money was raised it was paid for let it go and focus on your tax bills and how to help the city instead of whining about a playground really. that's pathetic russell and here i had respect for you
DMA
9:29 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Hey Russ get a life and If You have nothing positive to say keep your negative comments to your self. It is a wonderful thing that there are People from Woonsocket that are giving of themselves to Improve the quality of life for the residents of Woonsocket.I am so proud of All of these Volunteers that gave of themselves.
A
8:42 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
People complain cause there is nothing for the kids, Now that something was put in for the kids at the school its an issue?? I understand how bad the schools are financially but its not the kids fault. They are the innocent ones in this mess. Harris is a great school. My son is hitting his 3rd year there. He actually had Mrs.Roberts pictured above in a couple of the pictures and she is am amazing teacher. And while I understand your stand point Russel you do not have to be so rude about it. And yes before you comment, I did in fact help out with my sons class in regards to school supplies and such all year long to help out. Not everything in Woonsocket has to be negative. Its not the kids fault nor should they be faulted.
Amy Lanctot
8:59 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Kudos to the Harris Playground Committee! You must be thrilled that all of your hard work paid off. What an exciting way to kick off the school year!
Dave
10:16 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Most frequently used insult on the Patch:"Get a life".I'm fairly certain that if your heart is beating you do have a life.
russell archambault
9:37 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Dave Im so sorry to correct you but some of us (me) really have no life and no friends. I think or hope you were standing up for me ! thanks
Paulie10
10:45 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I do not have a clue what that cost,but in this city there are much greater needs than a playground that will ultimately get vandalized and used as shelter by city vagrants.How about books?Great intentions,just dont understand the need.
English first
5:50 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Well then you won't like what they did at Bernon Heights school ground.
russell archambault
12:27 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
There are great parks fo the kids in woonsocket. one of the most beautiful may be cass park now. Millions have been spent on Playgrounds, in this city, millions !!!. I this that is wonderful. Although It may be said that there is no park in the neighborhod I could agree. My point if I can get it through some thick heads, that schools are not the place to have Playgrounds. Pre- school, kindergarden yes. I believe harris had kindergarden at one time. My point is teachers should be paying more attention to school than playgrounds. I will agree that maybe these kids will only be able to get out side when they are at school. I am not against any kids, although ive never been one. Never even had a toy. Everyone is complaining about the lack of knowledge these kids have. Let them go out and play. On side note EF eight years ago I took on a project to start teaching a kid who was attending harris school. He could barely talk could not read or write. Ill tell all of you this kid would have just gone through the motions for years through the system.
I devoted a total of 5 years. While at harris he went from an absolute failing student to the honor roll.Has been honor student 8 years later. IM proven my point. So all of you who think im cruel I dare you to help a kid. I dont need anyone of you to praise me or critize me. Just try to have your own kid come close to what that little boy accomplished. mNow go play on your playground. Any more stupid comments? I chalenge any of you!!!
A
12:39 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Actually BOTH my kids do extremely well in school. Why must a child learn EVERYTHING at school?? A teacher can only do so much if the parents wont keep it up at home. It starts at home so point the finger at his home life first. And yes Harris still does have Kindergarten. The only stupid comments are from you. On that note Im done commenting. Take care.
Steve
4:28 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Is this new playground open to the public even after school hours, or is it only open to the students of Harris School during school hours?
The article above wasn't clear on this point......
A
5:10 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I just drove by it to check it out....It is open and it looks amazing! Kudos to everyone involved with raising the money and setting it all up. You guys did an amazing job!!
russell archambault
11:14 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
If I understand correctly, unless there is a school activity being sponscerd,by the school, being on school grounds is trusspassing.
David T
5:05 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
People, Russell is just passing the time, throwing out bait and you all (myself incuded) took the bait, thereby giving him something to sink his teeth into, helping him pass the time. Such a provocateur. He combs this site looking to comment on any type of article, usually getting into multiple commenting back and forth.
Seriously, its a playground on school property. Not the first one and will not the last one. It's a good thing. Has nothing to do with the city's problems with money. End of story. Wow.
russell archambault said at 8:54 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
"What a bunch of brilliant parents. Not enough money for books, not enough money for pencils, not enough money for needs to learn, but these brilliant parents saved for three years to get a useless playground, and to be more insulting, a candidate to get votes. Please tell me whats wrong with this picture. I cant wait for the responses to come in !!!"
and went on to say...
"If i was on the school committee I would propose to have that playground removed tomorrow."
A
5:11 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Agreed...I have noticed he talks alot of junk to just about every positive article posted on here. I wish they would just ban his negative butt and call it a day.
russell archambault
9:30 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
David you are so correct. I do try to make sense unless I decide not to make any sense at all .Many people can't seem to tell the diference. Most of the time I do have an opinion that could at least be considered. Im honest and speak the truth, most people can't handle things that are not on their own agenda . Have called it a day a long time ago. Will continue to post until I find something more useful, any ideas ?.For now, This is my playground.
Tim Chase
12:53 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
The playground committee deserves congratulations for raising over 60,000 dollars. If you have ever tried to raise funds for a cause, then you know that it requires work. I have never raised 60k for a volunteer cause. For a local project that is impressive.
Criticism sometimes is necessary, in this case bad isn't needed! Obstructionist!
Dave
10:27 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Don't point out a fact on the Patch,it'll get censored.
russell archambault
11:14 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
If any PTO's in woonsocket would like to have me as a guess speaker, to show them how to improve the system, I would be honored to help.
russell archambault
11:14 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
PTO's role; Provide programs that will enhance our children’s classroom experience and encourage school spirit and pride.
Provide special class projects and special equipment for the school.
Provide support of the arts and enrichment programs in the school.
Sponsor informational programs for parents, students and staff.
Trisha Ledger
4:47 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Hey Russ, are you not a ware that there used to be a playground at that location before they replaced the school? As far as I and apparently many other people are concerned, this is just a replacement for something that was taken away from the students when the school was updated. Also, from your lack of proper grammar and spelling, it boggles my mind why you would want to get involved in education in the first place, since it doesn't seem like learning was top priority for you. In closing, zip it with your negativity!
Trisha Ledger
4:47 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Oops, I had a typo in there. Good job talking smack about people with bad grammar!