Coy Miller Elementary Extreme Playground Makeover

By: Carrie Partain, Coy Miller Elementary, Frisco ISD

As our Healthy Zone School initiative, Miller Elementary took on a weekend community project to give our school playground and recess area an “Extreme Makeover”.  By utilizing resources that were made possible by The Cooper Institute and United Way, we transformed our playground to a creative, interactive and educational space that provides enjoyment for our students during recess, physical education and after school programs.  The teachers put together a unique design plan, then set up a community-wide event complete with staff, parents and students to volunteer a Saturday to complete all the painting for active stencils with multiple colors and design schemes. Now when our students exit the building to the playground, they race to new “events”, such as 4 Square boards, multiple Hop-Scotches, a giant A to Z Centipede, a Fuel Up To Play 60 inspired “My Plate” Game Board, as well as dozens of other kinesthetic jump and locomotor activities.  It was truly amazing how the whole school support group came together to make this happen for our students! Having the ability to make sustainable enhancements to the playground that give an amplified experience for the individual student; it will be a cornerstone of our campus for the future! Thank you Healthy Zone!