2008 Woodie Awards
Kids Await Arrival of New Sports Yard
Child Development Center needs additional funding to build new sports court for school-aged kids.
Maggie Ownbey
Issue date: 11/24/04 Section: News
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Studies show that kids need physical exercise to grow, stating it's just as important as a well-balanced meal and a good night's sleep. Physical exercise is good for their bodies and minds.
The Child Development Center at Valley College is in the process of building a new sports court, yet the project is on hold until the additional $13,000 in matching funds is paid.
"I can't wait [for the sports yard], it will be wonderful for school-aged kids and older preschoolers," said Barbara Sklar-Danon, who has been a lead teacher at the center for 29 years. "Kids need to move their bodies."
From start to finish the project will take less than a month to complete, according to Center Director Terry Teplin.
The Child Development Center at Valley provides a safe environment in which student-parents can leave their children while they attend classes. The center has a well-rounded program for pre-school to school-aged kids. There are different group activities each day, like working on art projects and writing picture books
The new sports court will be modeled after the play yard at Laurence Elementary in Van Nuys. The goal is to create a safe new area for kids to play soccer, basketball, foursquare and table toys.
"The area is right next to the building, it's really well lit," said Teplin. "It's a wonderful space and we're pretty lucky to be able to utilize that."
Through Student Services Assistant Dorothy Bates' and Teplin's efforts, the center has been awarded a $20,000 grant from The Orfalea Fund to purchase and install play yard equipment. That money will be paid when an additional $20,000 in matching funds has been received.
The Patrons Association has contributed $7,000 towards the match grant.
The newly combined 4- to 5-year-old and school-aged classroom looks directly out to the empty yard where the sports court is waiting to be built.
"It's perfect," said teacher's assistant Joy Kavianian. "[It's] easy for one teacher to be out in the yard and one in the class, it makes a huge difference."
The Child Development Center at Valley College is in the process of building a new sports court, yet the project is on hold until the additional $13,000 in matching funds is paid.
"I can't wait [for the sports yard], it will be wonderful for school-aged kids and older preschoolers," said Barbara Sklar-Danon, who has been a lead teacher at the center for 29 years. "Kids need to move their bodies."
From start to finish the project will take less than a month to complete, according to Center Director Terry Teplin.
The Child Development Center at Valley provides a safe environment in which student-parents can leave their children while they attend classes. The center has a well-rounded program for pre-school to school-aged kids. There are different group activities each day, like working on art projects and writing picture books
The new sports court will be modeled after the play yard at Laurence Elementary in Van Nuys. The goal is to create a safe new area for kids to play soccer, basketball, foursquare and table toys.
"The area is right next to the building, it's really well lit," said Teplin. "It's a wonderful space and we're pretty lucky to be able to utilize that."
Through Student Services Assistant Dorothy Bates' and Teplin's efforts, the center has been awarded a $20,000 grant from The Orfalea Fund to purchase and install play yard equipment. That money will be paid when an additional $20,000 in matching funds has been received.
The Patrons Association has contributed $7,000 towards the match grant.
The newly combined 4- to 5-year-old and school-aged classroom looks directly out to the empty yard where the sports court is waiting to be built.
"It's perfect," said teacher's assistant Joy Kavianian. "[It's] easy for one teacher to be out in the yard and one in the class, it makes a huge difference."
