MORE than 50 children at the York Town Basic School in Clarendon are now benefitting from a brandnew playground, donated recently by the JPS Foundation as a part of its effort to help the school attain the minimum standards set by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

The playground, which was officially opened on December 10, boasts a spacious recreational area with climbing structures and other play equipment.

The development, said the foundation, marks another significant milestone for the 40-year-old institution. In 2013, the JPS Foundation selected it to be one of three basic schools participating in its Model School Programme. The play area was created by sculptural design engineer Scheed Cole.

Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, JPS President and CEO Kelly Tomblin noted that, in addition to enabling the school to attain the national standards required by the ECC, the new playground was part of the commitment on the part of JPS to foster a clean and green environment.

“The fixtures are made from recycled material, which have been reworked to appear as natural logs and child-friendly equipment. This is clean and green. Let’s be passionate about protecting our land, Jamaica… We have a sacred honour to take care of our children and our environment,” Tomblin said. Sharing on the vision of empowerment for all Jamaicans, she continued, “Children in Jamaica deserve what everybody else in the world has. We don’t play small anymore.”

Region central director at the JPS, Roger Kennedy, who also spoke to the gathering of community stakeholders, had high praises for the JPS volunteers who gave several man hours to work on this and other JPS Model School projects. “I have to say a big thank you to our VOLTS (Volunteers On Location To Serve). They have made all the difference,” he said, outlining the multiple ways in which the volunteers have helped to improve the standing of the school.

Some other developmental milestones that the JPS Foundation has facilitated for York Town Basic School since 2013 are: the introduction of electricity (to the community as well); supplying the school with kitchen equipment, teachers’ desks and chairs; as well as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. The JPS Foundation is also assisting one teacher to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree at the Catholic College in Mandeville.

The JPS Foundation said it has invested approximately $7 million in the development of the York Town Basic School and the surrounding community.