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The community came together in a huge way when it came to the need for a new playground. In February 2024, after the failed referendum, we knew that the need for a safe play and learning environment did not go away. After further inspection of the 1996 playground equipment, we knew our students needed a new playground, and it could not wait. This past fall, we were able to install a full play system in the place where the old system sat. Since that install, our eager students were able to enjoy a safe and suitable play space. The students are able to climb high, ride the roller coaster, and go across the money bars with a lot of laughter and teamwork.
We knew there was more opportunity to grow the play space with the room that we had available. Knowing we had to give students of all abilities a chance to spread out and play in a space that they can enjoy, there was a joint effort to continue the mission to fundraise for the additional equipment.
We can proudly say that our current playground fund has a balance of $83,397. Those funds were all raised through the community, raffles, grants, and donations. We cannot thank this community enough for the huge support for this project. With the money that we have currently raised we will be purchasing and installing extra play pieces like a climber, new swings, an ADA spinner, three stations of musical instruments, an ADA picnic table, benches, and a sunshade. The goal would be to have these items installed and ready for play by the fall when students return from summer break.
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After two long weeks of watching the demolition of the old playground structure and the installation of the new structure, our Shiocton students were eager to get the chance to play on the slides, monkey bars, climbing towers, and much more! The excitement radiated throughout the playground on Wednesday when students and staff gathered around the new playground structure for a small ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Phase 1 of the Playground Project. Thank you to all who participated in the planning, fundraising, demolition, and construction of this first phase of the project!
The fundraising efforts continue for the second phase in our playground project. We are looking to update the swings, add musical instruments, a sun shade, and a few other pieces of equipment. If you would like to donate to the playground fund, please mail a check to Shiocton School, PO Box 68, Shiocton, WI 54170, earmarked for Playground Fund.
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Do you remember where you were in 1996 (almost 30 years ago!) when our last playground was installed? While we are sad to see the playground that has served us so well for so many years be torn down, there is great excitement for what the future holds with the new play structure. On October, 18, our maintenance team began working on the take down of our current structure. During the process of removal, we have seen the cracks, missing bolts, and general wear and tear of the structure. The students are very excited for a new play structure to make great memories with their friends and classmates for the decades to come. The new structure is set to be installed beginning on Friday, October 25, 2024 and will take about a week for that to be completed. Thank you to our amazing community that has helped us by donating to the playground fund. We are excited to create a new play space for our students, parents, and community to play on.
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The Shiocton Playground Fundraising Raffle was a great success! With the community’s help and contribution, over 1,500 tickets were sold. Throughout the month of September and October, community member Shari Allen worked vigorously with Better Life Insurance Company to sponsor a Playground raffle. She was able to gather prize donations from Better Life as well as many area businesses. During the home football and volleyball games this fall, $5.00 raffle tickets were sold and the drawing was held on October 15, 2024 after the varsity Volleyball game. The raffle drawing brought in a whopping $7,600 to go towards the Playground Fund.
Shari Allen stated, “I want to give out a BIG thank you to all who helped make this fundraiser possible. Better Life Insurance Company, SPICE, Rachel in the Shiocton School, and many parents and community members who helped sell the tickets. Almost 2,000 tickets!”
A big thank you to the companies that have donated and who are still donating to our overall fundraising goal of $60,000. After this raffle our Playground Fund total is currently at $40,879.93! With the community’s help we will be able to achieve our goal of creating a great play space that will allow students and community members of all abilities to play and converse.
Below are the winners from the Shiocton Playground Fundraising Raffle:
Gift Basket from HoChunk Casino – Wittenberg
Winner: Joanie Conradt
Boys Bike with Helmet – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Joel Fielding
Girls Bike with Helmet – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Chiara Van Camp
Golf Package – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Holly Patza
Yeti Cooler – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Becky Peterson
Yeti Cooler – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Nate Krake
Yeti Cooler – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Carla Conradt
Carhartt Jacket – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Diane Knops
Carhart Jacket – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Dick Wickesberg
Carhart Jacket – Better Life Insurance
Winner: Chad Riehl
Furnace Clean & Tune Up – Hoffman Heating and Cooling
Winner: LJ Marcks
Furnace Clean & Tune Up – Hoffman Heating and Cooling
Winner: Todd Janke
$25 Gift Certificate Hometown Grill – Hometown Grill
Winner: Jim Randerson
$25 Gift Certificate Hometown Grill – Hometown Grill
Winner: Linda Chancy
$25 Gift Certificate Hometown Grill – Hometown Grill
Winner: Randy Conradt
$25 Gift Certificate Hometown Grill – Hometown Grill
Winner: Cara Baum
$25 Gift Certificate Gino’s Steakhouse – Ginos
Winner: Debra Raddant
$25 Gift Certificate Muddy Water’s Shiocton – Muddy Waters
Winner: Donny Rief
Geno’s Sweatshirt – Genos
Winner: Larry Ritchie
$25 Gift Certificate Muddy Water’s Shiocton – Muddy Waters
Winner: Patty Immel
3 Piece Bake & Go Basket – Menominee Casino
Winner: Mindy Hofacker
1 Eternal Frying Pan - Menominee Casino
Winner: Judy Shafel
1 Christmas Cups & Santa Plate - Menominee Casino
Winner: Jessica Bielfuss
Shari Allen will be calling all raffle winners to coordinate the pickup of the prize winnings. If you are a winner and do not receive a call, please reach out to Shiocton School at 920.986.3351 x 700. The School District of Shiocton would like to send a special word of thanks to Shari Allen for her leadership and dedicated effort during this fundraiser. Thank you, Shari!
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Fundraising efforts within the community will continue so that we can improve the play space with rubber surfacing, benches, swings, additional climbing structures, and ADA picnic tables. If you would like to donate to the Playground Fund to aid in our efforts to improve this play space you may send a check earmarked to the Playground Fund to: Shiocton School PO Box 68, Shiocton WI 54170.
Phase 2 Playground Breakdown
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After more than 25 years of play, the current playground structure has served its purpose. Over the last year, we planned and began fundraising for a new play structure, surfacing, benches, and other accessories for the outdoor play area. With all the research and consideration, we brought the design options to students, representatives, recess supervisors, and staff to get their feedback on the play structure. The top choice overall will offer students many options to spread out, climb, and slide, as well as have ADA capabilities to allow students with all abilities to use the play structure.
On September 4, 2024 the School Board of Education approved the purchase of a new playground structure through Northland Recreation. We will use a portion of the funds that were already raised through community donations, SPICE fundraising, and approved grants just shy of $30,0000 with the remaining funds provided by the school budget that was designated for such projects. We anticipate the new structure to be installed by this November.
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