Students hope national contest leads to new playground

CALGARY- A Calgary school is in desperate need of a new playground—and they hope that you’ll help them get it.

The Calgary Islamic School is located in a northeast industrial area, and the only place for students to play is on a 15-year-old structure that has seen better days.

Not only does it have broken parts, but it’s also too small to hold the 336 students—meaning they have to play in shifts.

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“Grade 1s are on Mondays, Grade 2 on Tuesdays, Grade 5 on Wednesday and Grade 4’s are Fridays,” explains student Aaya Nassereddine.

“It’s hard work for the teachers, we’ve got to get organized and when other grades are playing we have to tell them to get off,” adds teacher Nesmah Elkestawi. “Who wants to tell a kid to get off when they’re having fun, right?”

As the private school is considered inner city, they’re limited in the grants they can apply for. However, a parent discovered a national contest sponsored by Aviva Insurance, that will give the winner about $70,000 for a community project.

The school hopes they win, so they can replace their playground. If they don’t, they plan to hold fundraisers instead.

Click here to cast a vote in the contest.