Pembroke Primary School

Press Release:

Pembroke Central Schools is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting community-driven project to upgrade the Primary School playground. 

Following the successful passing of Proposition 1 in the 2023 Capital Project vote, the community will come together once again to build a new, modern playground that will serve as a cornerstone for the school and the neighborhood. The updated playground will occupy the same large footprint and incorporate the local and farm theme with touches of Pembroke Dragon flare. 

Great care is being taken to restore and incorporate the original wooden mural that showcased local landmarks. It is a priority the playground reflects the unique character and pride of our community. 

This project was designed and will be led by Play By Design, a renowned playground design firm. For more information on Play By Design, visit their website at https://pbdplaygrounds.com.

History and Background
The current Primary School playground, designed in 1993 and installed in 1995 as a community build project led by Leathers Playgrounds and Associates, has been a beloved fixture for nearly three decades. 

Over the years, it has provided countless hours of enjoyment and physical activity for our students. However, given its age and the increasing maintenance challenges, it is time for a significant upgrade to ensure safety and inclusivity for all children.

What is a Community Build?
A community build involves local residents in the organization and creation of a community project. This interactive process not only results in a unique and high-quality playground, but also fosters a sense of pride and ownership among participants. The collective effort transforms the environment into a lasting symbol of community spirit.

Benefits of a Community Build Playground 

1. Cost Savings: By leveraging volunteer labor and donated materials, the overall cost of the playground can be reduced, allowing more funds to be allocated to high-quality equipment and innovative play elements for the kids.
2. Community Pride: Bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to work on a common goal enhances community bonds and fosters a sense of accomplishment. 
3. Enhanced Design: Each playground is tailored to reflect the local community's cultural, historical, and aesthetic values, resulting in a unique and meaningful space for children. 
4. Safety and Inclusivity: The new playground will comply with ASTM International and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards, as well as ADA accessibility guidelines, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all children.

Call for Volunteers
We are calling on parents, families, and community members to join us in this monumental effort. The playground build is scheduled to take place from August 20-31, following the tear-down of the existing structure between June 26 and July 26. We need volunteers with various skills and a passion for community service to fill a variety of roles, including:

• General Laborers: At least 25 general laborers are needed, with some requiring power tool experience. 
• Leadership Roles: We are seeking coordinators for playground removal, volunteer management, tools, materials, and food.
• Crew Leaders/Supervisors: Six dedicated individuals to oversee construction crews and ensure the quality of the build.

"I hear over and over that the experience of building the first playground was magical. While we can't replicate that exact moment, we aim to provide our community with another opportunity to come together to create a modern, updated playground and some amazing memories along the way," said Superintendent Calderón.

Get Involved 
Interested volunteers are encouraged to complete the volunteer survey by June 3. Please join us in building a playground that will provide joy and safety for our children and stand as a testament to the strength and unity of the Pembroke community.

For more information, please click and complete the volunteer survey.

Submitted photos.

 

Pembroke Primary School hosted a trunk or treat for children at the school. The event included activities in the gym.

Photos by Howard Owens.

When Mr. Fire comes knockin' at your door, make sure you know what to do!

That's the gist of the message Sgt. Major William Joyce, of the East Pembroke Fire Department, had for Pembroke Primary School students last week.

He and firefighters from various districts came to talk to the kids about the importance of being prepared for fire-related emergencies.

These are some of the trucks that pulled up to the school in the morning, much to the delight of the children:

Part of being prepared for a fire, according to Joyce, is developing an evacuation plan, which has to include a designated spot for the family to meet outside the home.

"And please don't pick your mom or dad's truck," Joyce said. "Mom and dad might have gone to the store or something, which means the truck could be gone."

He recommended picking a neighborhood tree or telephone pole, because "last time I checked, trees and telephone poles don't walk away."

Secondly, Joyce stressed the importance not only of getting out of a burning house, but also of staying out.

"Don't go back in for your dog or your cat or your favorite toy," he said. "You can always buy a new dog, cat or toy at the store, but there's no store I know of where your parents can get another little boy or girl."

Families should practice these and other safety measures through home fire drills, according to Joyce.

"Monday night is the best time for fire drills," he said, "because the firefighters are at the hall and we have all the equipment we need ready."

And in case one of these little ones were to get stuck in the house during a fire, Joyce stressed one very important thing they would need to remember:

"Don't be afraid of the firefighters."

He acknowledged that firefighters can look kind of scary when they come crawling into the house or room in the dark, masked, dressed in heavy gear, and breathing like Darth Vader.

Joyce explained that the masks and suits are to protect the firefighters, and that they crawl in order to avoid the fire, which is going to be "up above."

To help the kids out, the firefighters did a little demonstration in the gymnasium, with the lights off -- the kids were asked to shout out "help," as if they were trapped in a fire and needed rescue:

Some practical tips for fire prevention and safety were included in the presentation as well. Some of these were:

• Remember to empty your wastebaskets

• Keep the doors unblocked

• Change your smoke detector's battery regularly

• Don't try to put out the fire yourself; call the fire department

The assembly was followed by some hands-on activities for the kids, including tours of the buses, a look at firefighters' equipment, and trying on firemen's uniforms. These activities went on for most of the day, with classes taking turns touring the rigs:

 

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

On the way back to my car I got a look a the school's playground, which I thought looked pretty cool:

Volunteer firefighters from several companies turned out to Pembroke Primary School today as part of East Pembroke's annual effort to educate students on emergency preparedness.

Eleven trucks rolled up to the school first thing this morning, with all the sirens, horns and flashing lights the children could hope for.

Most of the trucks stayed at the campus throughout the school day and classes of children took turns touring the rigs.

Firefighters also provided information on emergency preparedness.