Welcome new Hayhurst families and welcome back returning families!
For those new to our school, let me take this moment to introduce the Dream Big Project! Created in the Fall of 2013, the Dream Big Project is our community's collective effort to design, fund and build an innovative, imaginative and durable playground to replace our decades old, deteriorating wood playground structure. A relic dating back to 1984, the structure is on Portland Public Schools' list for removal but due to lack of funds it remains. Inspired by Principal Froehlich's suggestion to "dream big," we decided to do a total playground overhaul, replacing not only the rotting wood structure, but adding exciting and innovative components that are accessible to children of all abilities, promotes physical activity and facilities social interaction between children of all ages. Over the last several years, we have undergone fundraising efforts while simultaneously designing our dream playground, a rendering of which is in our school's hall showcase and also viewable by clicking the "Our Dream Playground" tab!
Due to the support of our community and beyond we have raised over $90,000.00 towards our goal! This has been achieved through various fundraisers and donations over the last two years. Our focus last year and this year is on securing Dream Big Sponsors - these are individuals, groups of individuals, neighbors, businesses, charitable organizations, etc. who sponsor a playground component. A sponsorship is not only tax deductible but results in a plaque being affixed to the component to recognize your generosity for all in our community to see. To see a list of the various components that remain available for sponsorship, please click on the "Donate Now!" tab. Some of the prices are steep so we encourage you to think creatively! Would your street be interested in sponsoring a component like our neighbors on SW Loop Drive and SW Kanan Drive? Would your employer be interested in supporting our project and having their generosity acknowledged for all to see? It never hurts to ask! Even a collective effort may not yield the money needed to sponsor a component - but EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS! We have had students donate the proceeds of their origami projects, lemonade stand sales, and even a young student who donated the few dollars she received as a birthday present. If you would simply like to make a monetary donation, you may drop off your check at our school's office. Make the check payable to Hayhurst PTA and note in the memo line the money is designated towards our school's Dream Big Project.
And, now for the exciting news! Over the summer we secured over $21,000.00 for our project! Hayhurst mom, Kelli Howard, secured a matching donation of $20,000.00 from her generous employer, Bristol-Myers Squibb!!! Alpenrose Dairy and the 4H Discovery Farm also stepped up to the plate and sponsored our $1,800.00 Long Arch Bridge! WOW!
And, now for even more exciting news! The first phase of our playground is being installed THIS FALL!!! The equipment has been ordered and we are anticipating an installation date in the first or second week of October. Once we know the date, this will be passed on to you. For those new to the project, the first phase involves the northern elements in the playground rendering - the Berliner Space Ball, the Double Cloud 9 swings, and the freestanding Max Spinning Tower. This is all happening due to the generosity of Performance Homes (http://performancehomesnw.com) which has not only offered to remove our wood structure at no cost but has also agreed to donate the people power needed to install our new equipment. Their generosity has allowed us to save thousands of dollars that would otherwise have been spent to pay a contractor. Thank you Performance Homes!!!
Finally, we are looking for individuals who are interested in joining our project as we make our final push towards installing the remainder of the playground. Our goal is to have the whole project completed by Fall 2016/2017. But, we need your help!!! Are you interested in soliciting donations and/or Dream Big Sponsors? Are you aware of any foundations or grants that may benefit our project? Email us at [email protected] and we will put you to work!
For those new to our school, let me take this moment to introduce the Dream Big Project! Created in the Fall of 2013, the Dream Big Project is our community's collective effort to design, fund and build an innovative, imaginative and durable playground to replace our decades old, deteriorating wood playground structure. A relic dating back to 1984, the structure is on Portland Public Schools' list for removal but due to lack of funds it remains. Inspired by Principal Froehlich's suggestion to "dream big," we decided to do a total playground overhaul, replacing not only the rotting wood structure, but adding exciting and innovative components that are accessible to children of all abilities, promotes physical activity and facilities social interaction between children of all ages. Over the last several years, we have undergone fundraising efforts while simultaneously designing our dream playground, a rendering of which is in our school's hall showcase and also viewable by clicking the "Our Dream Playground" tab!
Due to the support of our community and beyond we have raised over $90,000.00 towards our goal! This has been achieved through various fundraisers and donations over the last two years. Our focus last year and this year is on securing Dream Big Sponsors - these are individuals, groups of individuals, neighbors, businesses, charitable organizations, etc. who sponsor a playground component. A sponsorship is not only tax deductible but results in a plaque being affixed to the component to recognize your generosity for all in our community to see. To see a list of the various components that remain available for sponsorship, please click on the "Donate Now!" tab. Some of the prices are steep so we encourage you to think creatively! Would your street be interested in sponsoring a component like our neighbors on SW Loop Drive and SW Kanan Drive? Would your employer be interested in supporting our project and having their generosity acknowledged for all to see? It never hurts to ask! Even a collective effort may not yield the money needed to sponsor a component - but EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS! We have had students donate the proceeds of their origami projects, lemonade stand sales, and even a young student who donated the few dollars she received as a birthday present. If you would simply like to make a monetary donation, you may drop off your check at our school's office. Make the check payable to Hayhurst PTA and note in the memo line the money is designated towards our school's Dream Big Project.
And, now for the exciting news! Over the summer we secured over $21,000.00 for our project! Hayhurst mom, Kelli Howard, secured a matching donation of $20,000.00 from her generous employer, Bristol-Myers Squibb!!! Alpenrose Dairy and the 4H Discovery Farm also stepped up to the plate and sponsored our $1,800.00 Long Arch Bridge! WOW!
And, now for even more exciting news! The first phase of our playground is being installed THIS FALL!!! The equipment has been ordered and we are anticipating an installation date in the first or second week of October. Once we know the date, this will be passed on to you. For those new to the project, the first phase involves the northern elements in the playground rendering - the Berliner Space Ball, the Double Cloud 9 swings, and the freestanding Max Spinning Tower. This is all happening due to the generosity of Performance Homes (http://performancehomesnw.com) which has not only offered to remove our wood structure at no cost but has also agreed to donate the people power needed to install our new equipment. Their generosity has allowed us to save thousands of dollars that would otherwise have been spent to pay a contractor. Thank you Performance Homes!!!
Finally, we are looking for individuals who are interested in joining our project as we make our final push towards installing the remainder of the playground. Our goal is to have the whole project completed by Fall 2016/2017. But, we need your help!!! Are you interested in soliciting donations and/or Dream Big Sponsors? Are you aware of any foundations or grants that may benefit our project? Email us at [email protected] and we will put you to work!