Actor Dedicates Playground Equipment to School
Posted on: Monday, 27 March 2006, 15:00 CST
By Paul Clinton MORE SAN PEDRO
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If you have an idea for an education story or just want to drop us a line about an event at a San Pedro school, call Paul Clinton at 310-540-5511, Ext. 464 or e-mail paul.clinton@dailybreeze.com.Before Kirk Douglas gave his gift to Crestwood Street Elementary School's kindergartners March 22, the children offered him and his wife their gift of thanks.
The children sang "The World is a Rainbow" as the actor and his wife, Anne, listened. Douglas waved his hands in approval.
Douglas then moved to a podium to unveil the new playground equipment his foundation had helped fund in a partnership with the school.
"School is very important and exercise is very important," Douglas said. "On the playground, they both work together."
The dedication of the new equipment came after the school had spent almost five years trying to replace a worn jungle gym that dated back to 1956, when the school opened.
Using the grant from the Douglas Foundation, school funds and bond funds, the school replaced the aging equipment after Los Angeles Unified School District workers replaced the playground surface.
"They wouldn't even put it back in," Principal David Gonzalez said about the old equipment. "It's too unsafe."
The Douglas Foundation approved the school for funding and provides matching funds up to $25,000 to improve playgrounds in LAUSD.
At Crestwood Street Elementary, teachers and administrators thanked Douglas, best known for his roles as a Roman gladiator in "Spartacus" and a tortured commander in "Paths of Glory," for his gift.
Two kindergartners handed a bouquet of flowers and a framed picture of the children using the equipment to Anne Douglas.
They also made a light-blue banner with a rainbow of painted handprints of the 120 kindergarteners.
"We can't thank you enough for your generosity," said Susie Howe, a kindergarten teacher.
Kevin Baker, the director of elementary education for Local District 8, called the gift "another milestone" at the school, which has developed a track record of achievement with its test scores.
Crestwood Street is the latest school to receive a gift from Kirk and Anne Douglas. The foundation has given $7 million for more than 340 projects since 1997.
In the San Pedro area, the Douglas Foundation has also given grants for equipment at Bandini Street Elementary, Cabrillo Avenue Elementary, Park Western Place Elementary and Point Fermin Elementary schools.
Barton Hill Elementary and Seventh Street Elementary schools have been approved for funds, but the equipment has not yet been installed.moreEDUCATIONmoreEDUCATION
Source: Daily Breeze
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