On Friday, September 16, St. Benedict School held its official dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the new PreK3 preschool playground “The Nest” in honor of Mrs. MaryEllen Harris. Last October, Mrs. Harris donated two new preschool mobile classrooms to honor her late husband Dr. Robert H. Harris. Through this generous donation, SBS was able to open the doors to two brand new PreK3 classrooms, increasing enrollment in the lower grades and doubling the capacity for PreK3 students. As a token of appreciation to Mrs. Harris’ generous support, the idea of adding a dedicated playground for the PreK3 students in her name seemed to be the perfect acknowledgement of the school’s gratitude to her outstanding philanthropy. Through various fundraising efforts of SBS, including a school wide walkathon held in the Spring, the playground initiative became feasible and a top priority to complete during the summer. 
 

Under the school principal Mr. Kevin Donahue’s direction, the designing, planning, and building of the playground, along with a new garden area took place. The project was supported by the RAINE Foundation, a local charity who supports families in need, who donated the rubber mulch flooring of the playground, and Girl Scout Troop 1502 member Olivia Ulrich, SBS Class of 2019 Alumna, who built several sensory equipment to enhance the play space as part of her Girl Scouts Gold Award project. The playground consists of three slides, sensory panels with tic tac toe and clock faces, binoculars, and designated play spaces. 
 

By the return to school, the PreK3 playground signage “The Nest - The MaryEllen Harris Playground” was hung and the playground was ready to welcome 24 new PreK3 students. The dedication ceremony held on Friday, September 16, marked the official playground opening with honoree Mrs. Harris in attendance, along with her service dog Fay. The ceremony was complete with a playground blessing from Father Garry, pastor of St. Benedict Church, opening remarks from Mr. Donahue, and Mayor Greg Buontempo of Holmdel presenting a proclamation in honor of Mrs. Harris. St. Benedict School PreK3 teacher, Mrs. Catalano, and preschool students who enjoyed their first year in the brand new mobile classrooms, presented a token of their appreciation with a photo book of memories of “Year One” in the Dr. Robert Harris Early Learning Center. SBS Alumna Olivia Ulrich shared words of gratitude in the closing of the ceremony. Olivia’s sensory equipment made for the playground as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project includes two sensory tables, a large counting abacus, a musical xylophone, and a garden with various plants. The PreK3 students are guaranteed endless hours of social interaction and outdoor play with their new playground and equipment for many years to come.