February 4, 2019 - As part of Kids First large grant funding cycle, Sierra Foothill Charter School teacher Erika Miranda was awarded a $2,900 play equipment grant request to benefit all students at SFCS.  One piece of this award included the hardware, lumber, and paint needed for a 20 foot Gaga Ball Pit. (Other equipment included in the grant funding: 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, and plastic marker rounds.)

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 in Sierra Foothill Charter School's educational program, students have recently been involved with constructing and painting the Gaga Ball pit. Working with custodian Jon Cook, students in grades 7-8 planed and painted the wood and grades 5-6 started assembling the pit. Students are learning great skills in the proper handling of tools and the importance of safety. The process also builds motivation and a sense of responsibility regarding the care and keeping of the play equipment.

Soon, the Gaga Ball Pit will be finished and students in all grade levels can start playing.

Sierra Foothill Charter School thanks Kids First for funding this grant request which is greatly enhancing outdoor play options for  students of all ages.
Gabe Walters, Jamie Ardell, Tadd Sexton, and Wyndham Evans work with Jon Cook, learning how to safely plane wood.
Rya Salonen and Eva Smerber work on painting the wood slats after they have been planed.
Some of Chelsea Kamins TK/K students including Kimberly Mohler, Everett Raczkowski, Ash Castillo-Daniele, Mallory Allen, and Odin Williams watch fascinated as their older school mates including Matthew Korn and Atticus Yu work on putting together the Gaga Pit.
Putting the pit together is very much a team effort.
Nine more slats to go and the Gaga Ball Pit will be ready for action.

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. Open enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year is happening now through April 10. 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.