Volunteers Complete First Phase of TIS Playscape

Tolland schools may be out of session through Wednesday due to the paralysis caused by , but the students at will be able to enjoy a new playscape when they return, due to the hard work of the Tolland Elementary PTO and volunteers on Saturday morning.

About 20 volunteers spent several hours carting and spreading 160 cubic yards of wood mulch onto the newly assembled playscape next to TIS. The new playscape is the first phase of a larger for the elementary-aged students. Until recently, TEPTO told Tolland Patch that students did not have a playscape on campus, and would either play outside the school at recess or would walk to the play area at Parker Memorial School, now serving as the .

"You wouldn't want to be speading it by yourself," said volunteer and parent Steve Papa. 

The volunteers were able to set up a quick assembly line that quickly moved the mulch from the pile to wheelbarrows and into the playscape area to be evenly spread. The work was completed in only a few hours.

TIS Principal James Dineen praised TEPTO and the volunteers for all of their hard work on the playscape, which he says makes the former middle school feel more like an elementary school for the students.

"The fact that we are as far along as we are is amazing to me," Dineen said. "Without the help of the community, this would not be possible. It's going to be wonderful for the kids."

The pasta dinner fundraiser scheduled for Saturday evening was canceled due to the weather, but will be rescheduled, according to TEPTO president Karen Moran. Moran said that the organization has to reach $120,000 to complete the playscape.

Visit the TEPTO Web site for more information and to learn more about volunteering.