‘Dream Playground’ a step closer

richardson092:

Kern County Associate Superintendent of Schools Christine L. Frazier (fourth from left) joined Richardson Center Principal Brian Cortez, Bakersfield Breakfast Lions Club representative Jason Gandola, Parent Advisory Committee volunteer Marci Wattenbarger, Richardson Center Program Director Meg Hudson-Gonder and Infant Development Program Principal Janet Swank in celebrating a $10,000 donation for the Dream Playground.

richardson093:

Richardson Center children happily posed for the new playground donation with (adults from left) Bakersfield Breakfast Lions Club representative Jason Gandola, Richardson Center Principal Brian Cortez, Associate Superintendent of Schools Christine L. Frazier and Parent Advisory Committee member Marci Wattenbarger (kneeling).

A $10,000 donation from the Bakersfield Breakfast Lions Club brought the Claude W. Richardson Child Development Center's Dream Playground for children with disabilities a step closer. The check was presented May 29 in an area where part of the playground will be built to Richardson Center principal Brian Cortez by Jason Gandola, representing the Bakersfield Breakfast Lions Club.

“The Breakfast Lions contribution, coupled with other donations, brings the $75,000 project closer to reality,” said parent advisory committee member Marci Wattenbarger, who has contacted individuals, clubs, and, with Richardson Center staff, organized the annual school carnival to help fund the project.

Principal Cortez said the new playground equipment is designed especially for students with special needs. When completed, the Dream Playground will permit teachers to take what they teach in the classroom outside. This includes helping students develop social and language skills. “All the equipment is at ground level so any child regardless of their abilities can participate,” said Cortez.

"This is just a fantastic example of schools, parents and the community joining hands on behalf of these very special children who have needs different from what you find in the traditional classroom. When the project is completed, it will add another building block to the development of these children," said Associate Superintendent of Schools Christine L. Frazier.

Construction of the $75,000 Dream Playground is scheduled to begin in June with completion expected in the first half of the new school year. Founded in the mid-1980s, the Richardson Center serves children with special needs from birth to age 5. The school also operates a preschool program. Together, the two programs provide educational services to about 800 children during the regular school year. The school also offers instruction during part of the summer.


Print This Page   Email This Page