Playground Improvements = Student Enrichment
Playground Improvement Committee
Goal: To provide student enrichments that support social-emotional well-being and physical growth; boost academic achievement through engaging physical activity.
Focus on inclusive activities with developmental benefits:
Multi-Sensory Experiences
Auditory, Proprioception (body awareness), Tactile, Visual, Vestibular (balance)
Motor Skills
Eye-Hand Coordination, Fine Motor, Motor Planning, Agility, Endurance, Balance, Coordination, Cardiovascular, Strength
Cognitive Skills
Problem Solving, Strategic Thinking, Language & Literacy
Social-Emotional Communication
Cooperation, Imaginative Play, Social Skill Development
Bobcat Bling - Fence Charm Project
Leave your print at Bethany with the purchase of a commemorative charm! All proceeds from the purchase of each $150 charm go to support continued Playground Improvements. Click the link to fill out the google form and secure your Bobcat Bling today!
Playground Improvement Accomplishments & Updates
Get Involved!
We’d love to have anyone join us for meetings and to work on upcoming projects! We meet every other Monday at 7pm on Zoom.
Playground Improvement Design Concepts - Future Possibilities
The committee has worked with the school district to develop a road map of improvements that can be made to the existing large structure. Here are some renderings of what additions and changes could be made in the near future!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the Playground Improvement Committee do?
A: This is a group within the PTO membership that works with the District officials to add enriching activities to the Bethany Playground. It works with a BSD Facilities Improvement Project Manager (FIP) to decide what and how improvements can be made to existing structures within the governing rules and regulations of all playgrounds. The committee then works to gain funding to bring the project to fruition. Funding is gained through grants, partnerships, and PTO fundraising.
Q: Why doesn’t the Beaverton School District fund these improvements?
A: The district is constantly assessing the needs of all 53 schools sites. If equipment is safely functional it does not trigger further action.
The Playground Improvement Committee aims to bring improvements that enrich each student’s experience at Bethany. Particularly adding items with increased Developmental Benefits beyond that of existing equipment.
Q: Why can’t we redo the whole playground at once?
A: The committee originally looked into this option. The cost in current dollars put the scope of the project between $125,000 - $150,000. This would take years of fundraising and current students may not get the benefit using the equipment during their tenure at Bethany.
Instead, the committee works to bring smaller parts of the originally proposed design to completion. This way current students may realize the student enrichments of the improvements within their time at Bethany. Students also have the opportunity to see a project start, participate in fundraising, and see the project completed within a relatively quick period of time. The most recently installed Omni Spinner was a great example of this!
Q: Why not just get all new equipment and a new playground?
A: The exploratory and design concept phase the Committee undertook looked at this option. This type of project would cost over $650,000+. It was determined to be beyond the capabilities of the Committee. As the current playground is functional, the district will prioritize school playgrounds in greater need than Bethany’s. Therefore, the committee chose to make improvements to the existing structure as a way to bring additional meaningful and inclusive activities to the playground.
Q: What does "inclusive activities” mean in terms of playground equipment?
A: Inclusive activities are designed for children of all ages, skills, and abilities. Key outcomes of play on this equipment serve to strengthen motor, sensory, cognition, cooperation and social-emotional skills.
Providing selected upgrades to the existing large structure is great opportunity to add these activities to the Bethany Playground. These upgrades will provide student enrichment that supports social-emotional well being and physical growth. Scientific studies have shown that physical activity boosts academic achievement.