Ribbon cutting for new W.C. Handy School playground

FLORENCE, Ala. — Florence City Schools' youngest Falcons have a new place to play and make memories following the official opening of a new playground at the W.C. Handy Early Childhood Development Center.

Students, faculty, district leaders, Big Blue Band members, and Florence City Board of Education members gathered Thursday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new space, made possible in part by an enhancement grant.

"This playground represents an investment in our youngest Falcons," Principal Donna Khan said. "We are so appreciative not only to the board but to the State Department of Early Childhood Education and Dr. Jackson for giving us the enhancement grant that helped make this possible."

The new playground gives Handy students another environment to learn through movement, exploration, and imaginative play.

Board President Vicky Kirkman said the district had been looking forward to seeing the project completed and emphasized the role physical activity plays in early childhood education.

"We have been waiting on this moment for a while, and we're excited that it is here," Kirkman said. "This is a part of learning because it's the physical part of the whole being."

Kirkman encouraged students to take full advantage of their new space.

"We're thankful that this was able to take place, and we want you to enjoy it," Kirkman said. "We're grateful to be a small part of what you now have to enjoy."

Superintendent Bill W. Hopkins Jr. credited the school, board, and community partners whose work began before he became superintendent.

"Long before I got here, this got started," Hopkins said. "It was because of the great work that your school did and also the school board in getting a grant to work together to make this happen — it's a great day for that."

Hopkins then turned his attention to a feature of the new playground that immediately caught his eye.

"Can I go down the slide?" Hopkins asked. "You've got to be cheering, or I'm not going to go down the slide, so let's get loud!"

Students selected to assist with the ceremony joined district leaders for the official ribbon cutting before trying out the playground for themselves.

The new playground will serve as more than a place for recess. Through play-based learning, Handy students will build physical, social, and creative skills while using their imaginations to make memories of their earliest years as Falcons.

By Jeremy Jackson