Pupils knew immediately that something was different about the playground
View full sizePart of the playground at Smith Road Elementary has been moved to the southeast corner of the school in North Syracuse. Students played on the playground today, which is the first day of school in the North Syracuse school district.North Syracuse, NY - Joanne Kohler's first-graders knew immediately something was different about their Smith Road Elementary playground today.
"I went on that playground and it was way over there," 6-year-old Caeden Eback-Stickel said, pointing to the southwest side of his school, across the parking lot.
Over the summer, North Syracuse school maintenance and operations crews helped move the part of the playground so it was in one spot, closer to the school.
Stickel and his classmates had lots of ideas on how crews moved the playground.
"The builders had to work together to move it," said 6-year-old Kathryn Artz, of North Syracuse. " It is heavy. When they lift it, it's a lot of work."
Stickel said he thought they used a crane. His classmate Matthew Malec, 6, said the only way to move all that playground equipment was to use construction trucks.
Their teacher was impressed.
"We not only have the best first graders, but the smartest," Kohler said.
Jon Ward, interim director of North Syracuse schools maintenance and operations, said his crews dug holes so a contractor could place the playground equipment in its new location.
The contractor used heavy equipment to move the playground to its new site, Ward said.
School maintenance and operations workers then put 12 inches of protective ground cover around the playground equipment. They also built the timbers around the border of the playground, he said.
View full sizeStudents entering Smith Road Elementary School on the first day off class today are directed to a temporary entrance to the building while it is being renovated. Smith Road Elementary students also saw other changes at their school, which is undergoing an 18-month renovation project that began in June. Asbestos abatement was nearly completed this summer so renovations to the entire building can begin shortly. The first phase is to tear down the existing offices and replace them with kindergarten classrooms.
Plans include upgrading and renovating all mechanical, electrical, plumbing and data systems; adding new classrooms, a new media center, and a new entry area and canopy; and renovating the southeast wing so that an administrative hub in the front of the building can have better visibility and secure access.
Catie O’Toole can be reached at cotoole@syracuse.com or 470-2134.