Three years ago the third grade students of Woodfill Elementary pinpointed an issue that needed to be fixed – and they immediately sprung into action to fix it.

When the class realized that the mulched playground area of the school made accessibility difficult for special needs students, the class decided to begin a fundraising project to renovate the area for their peers.

It was this altruistic goal which set the industrious third graders on a path to raise money for an inclusive playground – and the birth of a class collaboration which would see the students growing and selling their own goods to make it a reality. Working with the Campbell County Extension Office, the Fort Thomas Farmers’ Market and local farmer Eric Keef, the third graders began by selling painted flower pots at the market.

Continuing to raise money, the second year of the project saw them growing and selling their own microgreens, and this past year the class grew and sold a variety of lettuce starter cells for small farming.

As the students’ project grows, their community support continues to grow as well. With additional funding from the Fort Thomas Education Foundation and the Woodfill PTO, the inclusive playground is becoming a reality.

“Each year it keeps growing with the next class,” explains third grade teacher Michelle LaMantia. “We hope to continue to raise money for more accessible playground equipment to go along with our new playground turf that the FTEF and Woodfill PTO are funding. 

The teachers and students worked together to write the grants for additional funding for the project, which the students presented to the Education Foundation, PTO and the School Board for support. With the help of these organizations, the students paired the money raised by their wares to help create a new, more accessible turf field and are now aiming for new and more accessible playground equipment.

“As an educator, it is our goal to obviously teach children,” says third grade teacher Donna Hicks. “However, when students belong to a community like Woodfill where they feel safe in expressing ideas and a desire to learn more about something, that is the true gift for us. The fact that these students respect and care about their peers with disabilities is incredible. I am so inspired by the students that started this project, and then the students that eagerly jumped on board and expanded it each year since. They want their friends to be happy and have the same experiences that they have.”ots