As the community honours the past 100 years, added Messina, they also look to the future, as the playground will play an essential role in shaping the physical and emotional development of our students for generations to come. “It stands as a testament to what thoughtful design grounded in research and imagination can achieve. Thank you all for being part of this momentous occasion,” said Messina.
A time for play, a time for celebration
The event also served as a birthday party for Mrs. Jackman, whose birthday was the week before.
Solomon was joyful in his praise of Mrs. Jackman. “Sara, who is very special to the school and to me personally, has recently celebrated her birthday. Grade 3s, will you please join me in singing happy birthday?”
They did, with the live band adding background music in the process.
Dr. Jackman added to the festivities, sharing a tie that was made by one of his grandchildren – with blue and purple handprints made with their little hands and streams of paint up and down the tie itself. “Wherever I go, people stop me and they say, ‘Where did you get that tie?’ I tell them that my grandchildren made it,” said Dr. Jackman, proudly. “It’s the best tie in town. You want to make your parents and grandparents proud – get them a tie.”
Dr. Jackman had asked his wife if he could throw her a birthday party tonight. She said, ‘No, I don’t want a birthday party,’ he recalled, to light laughter. “So I said, Okay, I’ll call JICS and asked him if they could throw a birthday party.
“Thank you all so much for coming and giving Sara a birthday party!”
It was a rainy day during the celebration so any outdoor play was on hold. Mrs. Jackman herself had brought running shoes to play in. Thanking everyone for the surprises, she had one question.
“Can I come another day and play on the playground? All right!” she said, to cheers.