December 12, 2018 - Local nonprofit organization Kids First recently funded a large grant request from Sierra Foothill Charter School Teacher Erika Miranda in the amount of $2,900 for outdoor play equipment to benefit all students at the school. Here, Kids First president Rick Uebner presents the grant award to Teacher Erika Miranda.

SFCS recognizes the importance of play in children’s development. This grant award allows staff to provide enhanced opportunities for play for students of all ages. The playground equipment includes: Giant Tumbling Timbers (similar to the game Jenga, but for outdoors), Jumbo Blocks (192-piece outdoor set), hoop ball goals, a giant outdoor Connect-4 game, plastic marker rounds, 20’ Gaga Ball Pit hardware, and lumber and paint for the Gaga Ball Pit and storage boxes for blocks. (Gaga is a fast-paced, high energy sport played in an octagonal pit. It’s been dubbed a kinder gentler version of dodgeball. The game is played with a soft foam ball, and combines the skills of dodging, running, and jumping, while trying to hit opponents with a ball below the knees. Players need to keep moving to avoid getting hit by the ball. It’s fun and easy, and everyone gets a serious workout.)

Given that Service Learning is a key component of SFCS's educational program, students will be involved with constructing and painting the Gaga Ball pit and wooden storage boxes for the outdoor blocks. This will also build motivation and a sense of responsibility regarding the care and keeping of the play equipment.

SFCS thanks Kids First for funding this grant request which will greatly enhance outdoor play options for students of all ages.

Kids First is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed to aid Mariposa County public school students. The organization's mission is to provide teachers with supplemental funds for their classrooms through grants as well as provide high school students with scholarships for college.

Sierra Foothill Charter School is a free, non-profit, TK-8 public school. For the 2018-2019 school year, space is currently available in grades TK, 5, 8, and the Home School program. For more information, contact the office at (209) 742-6222 or visit SFCS’s website: SierraFoothillCharterSchool.org. To stay up to date on all the latest happenings, “like” SFCS on Facebook.