Centennial Academy of Fine Arts Education is the proud owner of LPS’s newest piece of accessible playground equipment! The school community came together last Thursday, April 13 for a ribbon cutting celebration. Close to 400 people attended, and the new spinner was enjoyed by all!

This project was partially initiated by seeing a playground LuBird’s Light Foundation completed in the Stapleton area. Principal Dan Cuoco said, “We wanted similar equipment at Centennial, since our thriving center-based program is such an important part of our community. We saw we did not have enough features that included all of our students in the fun out at recess. Our PTO took the initiative from there to help raise the funds!” 

The new spinner was funded through PTO fundraisers, some cost-sharing with Centennial’s School Aged Child Care (SACC) program, resource assistance from the LPS Foundation, and a grant from LuBird’s Light Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing inclusive play equipment for children of all needs. Their foundation, founded in 2017, believes that "all kids deserve a chance to play!"

There is a personal connection between Centennial and LuBird’s Light Foundation: LuBird is the nickname of Centennial 5th grader, Lucia, and LuBird’s Light Foundation’s executive director is Lucia’s mom, Juliet. Lucia was born with a rare genetic condition called Pallister Killian Syndrom, which affects her from head to toe in various ways, including prohibiting her from walking. The new addition of an accessible piece of playground equipment--hopefully the first of many--means that Lucia and others in Centennial's center based program can play on equipment with their classmates. What an amazing legacy Lucia and her family are leaving at Centennial! 

“This has been a very special project for our students and community. Our families are such strong advocates for all our kids and this piece of equipment is a big example of that. We are so fortunate to have a center based program at our school, as it helps shape such a deep understanding of being an inclusive community. We are small but mighty at Centennial! When our families see a need, we accomplish it. I'm very, very proud of our students, staff, and families for making this project happen, and we're so excited for it to finally be finished,” reflected Principal Dan Cuoco.