Thanks, Durham, I needed that! (EK Powe Elementary School Playground Dedication)
This morning was the dedication of a 3-years-long stormwater-control and playground redesign project at EK Powe Elementary School, on the edge of the Watts Hospital Hillandale Neighborhood in Durham, NC. This substantial project is the result of collaboration between the EK Powe PTA and Principal, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, DurhamMatching Grants Program, Durham Public Schools, and Tributary Design+Build (a private landscape architecture and design company here in Durham):
The dedication, which was held on the playground in balmy weather, was attended by fourth and fifth grade classes, the Mayor, County Commission Chairwoman, County Commissioners, City Council members, School Board members, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, principal, asst principals, and the folks with the EK Powe PTA, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, Durham Matching Grants Program and Durham Public Schools who made the project happen.
At the end of the dedication, all of the elected officials and other adults introduced themselves to the students (many had been looking for the Mayor since they arrived).
Turns out, when they learned of the elected officials planning to attend the dedication this morning, the teachers of the participating classes organized for several of these officials to participate in activities with their students on the playground after the dedication. Not only were the kids wowed by the local celebrities, but the event provided an incredibly pertinent and hands-on learning experience given that they are currently studying government and the collaboration required to sustain it.
My heart filled as I watched a class of students interact with Steve Schewel, who was the PTA president at EK Powe Elementary School long before he became a school board member, city council member, and now Mayor.
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This is the kind of synergy I live for!
Even more, today is Principal Asia Cunningham's last day at Powe - she is moving to Pearsontown (where she first did teacher training) in South Durham. I can't imagine a more positive sendoff.
The collaboration, inspiration, and communal well-being permeating the air this morning was impossible to miss. I am grateful that it followed me home and hopeful that it will inspire more worthwhile community collaborations like this one.
(If you want my input/advice regarding your own endeavors to fund and implement collaborative projects like this here in Durham, please feel free to contact me at MelissaRooneyWriting@gmail.com. I can't promise I'll always answer in a timely fashion (you may have to email me twice); but if you reach out, I will do my best to reach back.
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Background:
Below is what I wrote for my part of the dedication ceremony this morning. I have since been told that, upon learning that we did not have enough money to complete phase 3 of the project, Durham Public Schools covered that cost, buying into the project literally. Icing on the cake! (And thank you, DPS.)
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