Author Topic: Fairmount School: Project Playground  (Read 23758 times)

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Fairmount School: Project Playground
« on: November 30, 2007, 11:35:19 AM »
     The Fairmount School Community in Hackensack is excited to announce the creation of PROJECT PLAYGROUND. Nineteen years ago, 3,000 volunteers collaborated to build a fantastic, state-of-the-art playground for Fairmount School students and all children in the neighboring communities. For many of the children, parents, staff, and volunteers who participated in this project, this remains a very fond memory.

     Now, due to changes in building and safety codes, that playground structure has to be removed. The current Fairmount Community, recognizing the vast benefits this playground has given children over the years, decided to take on this project again.

     On December 13, 2007, at 6:30pm, there will be a presentation of the proposed playground structure in the Fairmount School auditorium at 105 Grand Avenue in Hackensack. At that time, the company designing the playground, Leathers and Associates, will present a drawing of the proposed playground, which will be based on the ideas and imaginations of the children of Fairmount School.

     All members of our community are invited to attend and learn more about this exciting project. Fairmount School Project Playground invites the public to come and find out how they can help this venture become a success for all of our children.




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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2007, 11:50:22 AM »
UPDATE: The party for Design Day for Fairmount School's Project Playground is still going to be held tonight at 6:30 in the Fairmount School auditiorium in any weather.  Please come if you can get here safely!

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Fairmount Playground Drawing
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2007, 02:36:38 PM »
Here is a preliminary drawing of the planned playground.  The design may change. Click the image to make it bigger.  You need to scroll left and right.  You can see a .pdf version here.

This design includes a maze, pirate ship, whirlpool slide, castle, tree fort, shaded trail and much more.  We're still looking for help to get this done.  Stay tuned.
 

« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 04:29:57 PM by Editor »

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2008, 02:29:53 PM »
Fairmount Project Playground will begin construction on October 8, 2008. Anyone interested in helping with the build, serving food, childcare, or loaning tools please email fairmountplayground@hackensackschools.org.
 
Fairmount Project Playground is now selling engraved paving bricks that will mark the border of the community playground. Click here for the brick program order form.
 
For $100, you can have your name or a short message become part part of the Fairmount playground permanently. For $40, you can have a picket with your name engraved on it as part of the fence surrounding the playground. Click here for the picket program order form.

Please print out the order form and mail it with payment to:
 
Fairmount Project Playground
105 Grand Avenue
Hackensack, NJ.
 
Tax deductible donations are also being accepted. Please visit our website at http://fairmountplayground.clubspaces.com.
« Last Edit: January 18, 2008, 02:34:13 PM by Editor »

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2008, 03:28:02 PM »
Fairmount Project Playground is in high gear!

If you pass Fairmount School you will see the thermometer gauging how much money we've raised and how far we have to go. Right now, the goal seems far off, but we're making progress as many generous community members have already donated.  Our children have collected over $800 in spare change!  Congratulations to Ms. Montone's class and Ms. Bentley's classes for collecting the most money.
 
The current structure is in the process of being removed.  It is bittersweet to watch as the  pieces are taken down.  On the one hand, many great times and memories were had by children since 1989 on that structure, but on the other hand, it means we are closer to building our new structure.
 
The Children's Committee has been working hard to let the community know how important this project is to them.  We thank O'Shea's printing for their support of the the Children's Committee.
 
We are having lawn signs made to raise awareness of Project Playground.  We are asking anyone willing to display a sign to kindly donate $3.50 to cover the costs of printing.  We want to thank Blue Dog Graphics for printing and subsidizing the printing of the signs.  Please respond to this email if you'd like to display a sign, and we'll contact you when they are ready.
 
Upcoming events:
We will be holding an informational meeting in Spanish to spread the word about Project Playground on February 6 at 6:30pm in the Fairmount Cafeteria.  All are invited and, of course, welcome to stay for the PTA meeting at 7:00.
 
The Hackensack Rotary will be donating some of the proceeds of the St. Patrick's Day Karaoke party to Fairmount Project Playground. We want to encourage people to attend on Saturday, March 15 after the Fun Fair.  It promises to be alot of fun. The flyer is attached to this post at the bottom.
 
The Beefsteak Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 5 at the YMCA.  More details will follow.
 
Thursday, March 6th is "Dining to Donate" at Applebee's on Hackensack Avenue.  You must bring a flyer from Project Playground in order to have your purchases count towards the 10% contribution Applebee's will make to our fund.  Please email us if you need a flyer.
 
Make sure your calendar is marked for our build dates: October 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.  If you are observing Yom Kippur, we hope you will be able to join us on the other dates.  We will need MANY willing bodies, as well as tools, food, and childcare services.  Please let us know if you are interested in helping in any of these ways. 
 
Ongoing:
Engraved bricks are being sold for $100, and engraved pickets are being sold for $40.  Please see our website for details. 
 
Tax-deductible donations may be made to Fairmount Project Playground, 105 Grand Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
 
Thank you for your support!
« Last Edit: January 25, 2008, 03:34:36 PM by Editor »

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2008, 04:49:55 PM »
Out with the old...
By now you've all seen that our beloved 19-year-old playground structure has been removed from the Fairmount School grounds.  This is a bittersweet occasion.  It means the end of a fantastic era in the history of the Fairmount neighborhood, and the beginning of a new exciting time!
 
Fundraising Goal...
We have surpassed our first fundraising goal!  We hoped to have $28,000 by February 28th.  We are over $30,000 and counting!

Buy your Beefsteak Dinner and Tricky Tray Tickets Now!!
Tickets for the Beefsteak Dinner and Tricky Tray are on sale now for $45 each.  Buy 10 and we will reserve your table!  Also, we are looking for donations of Tricky Tray baskets to be auctioned at the dinner.  Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 5 from 7-10pm at the YMCA in Hackensack.  Please print out the attached order form.   

A rumor that needs correcting...
There has been a very significant misunderstanding.  A rumor has been circulating that the playground committee is turning down offers of large sums of money.  This is simply not true.  We are accepting and encouraging donations of any amount, from pennies to tens of thousands! 

We believe this misunderstanding came from something that was said on Design Day on December 13.  We were encouraged by the designer to include as many people as plossible into this process.  The suggestion was made that it is better to collect $1 from 180,000 people than to collect $180,000 from one person.  That was said to illustrate the importance of gaining widespread support.  The reality is, we hope to receive various-sized donations off finances and materials from many, many community supporters! 

If you are in contact with someone who is looking to offer financial support on a large scale, please put them in touch with our fundraising chairpersons - JOyce Wickersheim - 201-488-7963 or Kat Hoehl - 201-487-0297.

Let's make a sea of red signs!!
You may have that there are signs advertising Fairmount Project Playground popping up all over!

If you'd like to disply a sign on your lawn, please send $5 to the Fairmount School main office in an envelope marked "Lawn Signs" and your contact information.  Help us get the word out!

Bricks and Sticks
We are continuing to take orders for engraved bricks and fence pickets.  Have your bricke paver enbraved for $100 or your picket engraved for $40.  Order forms are attached to this email.

Other news...
Thank you to all who attended Applebee's Dining to Donate night.

The Fairmount School Fun Fair is Saturday, March 15 from 11am-3pm on the ground floor of the school  Proceeds from the tickets and food will go towards HHS scholarships as always.  Proceeds from the Tricky Tray at the fair will go towards Project Playground.

Hackensack Rotary is hosting Karaoke Night and a Corned Beef dinner for St. Patrick's Day on March 15 from 6:30-11pm at the Maywood American Legion on Passaic Street.  They are donating some of their proceeds to Project Playground, and have been most supportive of our project!  Thank you, Hackensack Rotary! 
 
Contact information:
General - Stephanie Hellpap 201-681-9647
Fundraising - Joyce Wickersheim - 201-488-7963
Volunteering - Enza Kowal - 201-926-7530
Public Relations - Pedra Del Vechio - 201-343-1428
Food - Fran Meyer - 488-3795
Donated Materials - James Galbreath - 201-401-7612
 
This email address may also be used for any questions or comments.
 
Thank you for your support!
Fairmount Project Playground
105 Grand Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2008, 10:20:31 AM »
Is you house full of treasures that you don't need? Come sell them at Fairmount Project Playground's
HUGE Garage Sale on Saturday, May 3rd. For $25, you will get a 12'x12' space to display and
sell your items.  You keep all the profit.  The sale will be held in the playground behind Fairmount
School at 105 Grand Avenue in Hackensack. Please send your name, phone number, and a check for
$25 to: Fairmount Project Playground Attn: Garage Sale 105 Grand Avenue Hackensack, NJ Questions? Email fairmountplayground@hackensackschools.org

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2008, 10:41:41 AM »
Come cheer on your team in the
Fairmount Staff and Parents
vs.
Hackensack Police Department
Basketball game on Friday, May 16th.
 
 
Fairmount Project Playground will be serving dinner of pasta, salad, bread, and a drink for $3.00 starting at 6pm in the Fairmount School Cafeteria. The basketball game will follow at 7pm.  Snacks will be sold during the game. 

Fairmount Project Playground
105 Grand Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #8 on: June 18, 2008, 03:21:40 PM »
Latest News

Community support for Fairmount Project Playground has been tremendous, and we are very grateful!

We have reached the half-way mark in our fundraising.  We still need quite a bit more to reach our goal of $180,000.

We are also starting to compile lists of volunteers who will help us build on October 8-12.  Please contact us at fairmountplayground@hackensackschools.org or at Fairmount School, 105 Grand Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601.

Also, come and enjoy a day of softball and refreshments at Foschini Park on Sunday, June 29 beginning at 10:00 am.

It will be a great way to kick off the summer!

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2008, 11:06:07 AM »
Dear Fairmount Project Playground Supporters,
 
We are currently selling raffle tickets to benefit the playground!
 
First Prize is a Notebook Computer donated by SolveIt Computer Services
(Acer Aspire with Intel Celeron 2.13 GHz processor)

Second Prize is an XBox 360 Elite
 
Third Prize is a Canon Sure Shot digital camera

 
Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20
 
If you would like to purchase or sell tickets, print this form and send it to us at:

Fairmount Project Playground
105 Grand Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601

Feel free to share the form with your friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
 
And don't forget to print out the volunteer sheet and sign up to help build Project Playground!
« Last Edit: September 02, 2008, 12:12:27 PM by Editor »

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #11 on: September 23, 2008, 02:23:41 PM »
Fairmount Project Playground begins in only 16 more days!!
 
Don't forget to send in your volunteer form!
 
The build dates are:
Wednesday, October 8
Thursday, October 9*
Friday, October 10
Saturday, October 11
Sunday, October 12
8:00am-8:00pm

 
Shifts are four hours, and everyone gets fed!
 
Why Participate in Fairmount Project Playground?
Getting involved with Fairmount Project Playground is about more than just building some slides.  It's about community.  This is an opportunity to work side by side with your neighbors in a way that is rare in these busy times.  Everyone who works on this project will have a special bond to one another and to the community.  When the build is over, every single person who helped will be able to look to the completed project with pride and know that they created something very special.

There is no greater experience than being part of a team, with each member giving their all with a feeling of good will and cooperation.

While you work, your children will be well cared for and enetertained by our childcare crew.  Please indicate whether you will be using our childcare service when you confirm your volunteer shift.  Children must bring a bagged lunch, but may eat with their parent when their shift ends.   Every volunteer will be fed deliciously prepared meals, many donated by local food establishments.

Progress on the playground...

As you know, we have been working hard to raise money for the playground.  We have surpassed our $100,000 mark, and our goal has been reduced to $130,000.  We are awaiting notification on grants that we've applied for, but we still need every bit we can get!  If you are able to contribute financially, any and every bit will be appreciated!

There is still time to buy an engraved brick for $100.

There are still a few components available.  Please contact us if you're interested in sponsoring a component .

Raffle tickets for the laptop computer, XBox 360, and digital camera will be sold through this Thursday, September 25.  The drawing will be held Thursday at 7:00pm in the Fairmount School auditorium. 

If you pass by the playground, you will see that it has been transformed into a construction site.  Many thanks to our faithful crew who have spent the past several days clearing out old ground-cover, building saw horses, unloading lumber, and organizing supplies.  Anyone willing to help with these types of pre-build tasks will be greatly appreciated!!

*Wednesday evening, October 8 and into Thursday, October 9 is Yom Kippur.  Scheduling the build on this holiday was, unfortunately unavoidable.  School will be closed that day, and we extend warm wishes to all those observing.

Fairmount Project Playground
105 Grand Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
fairmountplayground@hackensackschools.org 

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #12 on: October 02, 2008, 11:07:30 AM »
Here's what's happening with the Playground:
 
The electricity is in place on the construction site - thanks to Figlia Electric.
Today, holes are being dug for posts and the site is being prepared by
J. Fletcher Creamer, United Water, All-County Welding, James Kurpiel, and Wickersheim and Sons.
 
TOOLS
We need lots and lots of tools!  Especially
hammers
shovels
3/8" drills
25 foot electrical cords
wheelbarrows
circular saws
tape measures

 
Please bring these items and anything else you have to the playground the
is Saturday between 12 and 5 and any time on Sunday.  The complete list is attached as a Word file.
Your tools will be assigned a number and logged in.  They will be checked in and out and locked securely when not being used.
If any damage occurs, WE WILL REPLACE THEM!  GUARANTEED!  Please contact Ron Hellpap with questions:
201-681-9647 or rbh116@verizon.net.
 
MONEY!!!
We are so close, but yet so far!! Our push to collect $1 from each of 20,000 people is off to a very promising start! We have already gotten almost $5,000!!  Please talk to all your friends, neighbors, email contacts, colleagues, you get the idea. This is a really exciting project.  The more people who invest in it, the more our community will share in the pride and ownership of this wonderful gift!
Remember to share the link a the link: http://fairmountplayground.chipin.com/mypages/view/id/7ba6347a29d30801
We are already up to $600!  Ask all your friends.
 
STREET FESTIVAL
We will be at the Upper Main Alliance Street Festival this Sunday, October 5. Come visit us at our table, or let us know if you can work at the table for an hour or two.
 
Remember why this is important...
Here are some comments we've gotten from people who helped in 1989...

I was there for the first one and would like to be a part of the new project.

As a graduate of Fairmount who still knows all the words to our Alma Mater, I have deeply fond memories of my years there.  It was a pleasure to contribute to your project.
 
I assisted in builiding the structure that you will be removing soon and would love to be involved with the project again.
 
I was one of those people who built the playground!  I was out there at 6:00 am unitl 8:00 am, taught, and then back out there till after 10:00pm.  I had so much fun!  I would love to help out again!

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2008, 11:45:35 AM »
If you have not already ordered your brick for Fairmount Project Playground, please do so!
All orders for 2008 are due by Friday, October 17.
 
The bricks will be ordered and engraved so they can be laid when the ground is ready.
Please send your brick order forms and payment to:

Fairmount Project Playground
105 Grand Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Attn: Brick order

Order forms for bricks
 
Thank you!  We hope to see you at the build starting this Wednesday, October 8!

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Re: Fairmount School: Project Playground
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2008, 10:47:00 AM »
TOOLS!!
We still need many, many more tools!  We promise they will be returned to you.  If anything happens to them, we will replace them!
We especially need corded drills, circular saws, hammers, extension cords, tape measures, shovels, and rakes. 
Please see the tools list, and bring them by the playground tomorrow!
 
Potluck Dinner - Sunday, October 12
Please bring a dish to the food tent by 11am on Sunday. 
Also, join us for the ribbon cutting at 6:00pm!
 
Bricks - last call!
Brick orders are being accepted until Friday, October 17.
Please get your orders in as soon as possible!
Order forms for bricks.

 
Thank you, everyone, now Let's Build It!!!
« Last Edit: October 07, 2008, 10:49:04 AM by Editor »