Playground Funded by MICDS Community Service Project

Information was provided by the Communications Department at MICDS.

Project Play, the school-wide service project that was initiated in 2011 by MICDS Upper School students came to fruition earlier this month when a new play structure was formally dedicated at North Side Community School. Many members of the Upper School student steering committee were on hand, along with JK-12 Community Service Director Nancy Richardson and Assistant Head of School Jeff Suzik.

Project Play is a service project that involved members from all grades of the MICDS community to raise funds to construct a safe and fun playground at North Side Community School, an inner city charter school.

From designing t-shirts, to hosting bake sales, to having a school wide Box Tops for Education collection, MICDS students came together to help their friends at North Side. Through fundraising efforts and blind donations, Project Play raised more than $30,000.

At the December 4 dedication, North Side students and faculty encircled the play structure, and Principal Stella Erondu welcomed everyone, noting, “About a year ago, our friends from MICDS came into our classrooms to find out what they could do for us. You told them and they listened, and we are thrilled to have this new playground.” Ross Woolsey, North Side’s Director of Business and Development, presented a handmade thank you sign to MICDS students as a gesture of appreciation.

Speaking on behalf of the students of MICDS, Gabrielle Harris, Kera Bussey-Sims and Anna Robson shared their excitement about the project. “We are so happy to provide you with a safe and enjoyable place to play, and we hope our relationship with North Side continues to grow,” said Anna.

A steering committee comprised of 16 MICDS Upper School students took on leadership roles to make Project Play a reality. They interviewed North Side students and offered design input for the play structure, and the project was completely student-driven.