Larry J Macaluso (LJM) Elementary PTO

Larry J. Macaluso Elementary School, a kindergarten through 6th grade school that has a population of 700 students, in the Red Lion Area School District is in need of a new playground. The PTO, a nonprofit organization, is beginning to raise funds. The cost of new playground equipment will be approximately $200,000-$250,000. We have a diverse group of students at LJM, some with special needs. While all of the elementary schools have special education students, LJM has the most teacher resources and space for these students. Therefore they are the primary school in the entire district where these students will attend. In addition, LJM also has students outside of the district that attend because they can benefit from LJM's special education resources and teachers. 

We would like to make the playground inclusive with a wheelchair ramp, sensory activities, communication board, American Sign Language, etc. This is due to having students with Autism, deaf and/or hard of hearing, intellectually disabled, and nonverbal students. Our current playground is not inclusive for students with different needs, thus hindering all students from playing together as a community. Not only does our playground serve as a place for students to play during recess, community members often use the playground during athletic events being held on school property. Our goal is to truly make this a place where our community can come together and all children have a place to play.