Written by

Beth Farrah, SMT Writer

Essex, Missouri – After nearly four months of waiting, the Richland Elementary students finally got to celebrate the opening of their new playground. After Richland received a USDA grant in August to rebuild their playground, there was a lot of waiting, planning and anticipation from the faculty and students. After a rainy delivery a few weeks ago in the end of October and a lot of hard work put in from Richland’s Superintendent Frank Killian, handyman Calvin Edwards, board member Terry Blair, and other volunteers, both playgrounds were finally completed last Friday.

Both of the new playgrounds were designed to show our school spirit, being colored in red and gray. There is a playground for both the younger students and the older students. The brand new playground includes a brand new tall, swirly slide, swings, and multiple climbing structures, including a rock climbing wall and crawl-through tunnels. Along with the students' new playgrounds, the construction workers and Calvin Edwards have finished building an awning that is perfect for outdoor lunches and other outdoor activities during the summer and spring weather.

On account of their half day and the celebration to the end of National Young Readers Week, the young Rebels were rewarded with a day of play on their new playground last Friday and enjoyed every second of it. The Rebel students and staff want to give a big thank you to everyone who helped their dreams of a new playground become a reality!

Picture above taken by Yearbook Staff member of The Rebel