Exercising Body and Mind

University Academy Holds Successful Fundraiser to Enhance Playground Areas

An important aspect to educating young children is exercising both the mind and body. UT Tyler University Academy recently enhanced the playground areas at the Tyler and Longview campuses with a successful fundraiser.

Teachers, parents and students at the Tyler and Longview campuses saw the need for additional playground equipment, and around $15,000 was raised to add swing sets to each campus’ playground area.

“We were fortunate to work with Matthew Brinton and the University Advancement team to organize a successful campaign,” said Dr. Jo Ann Simmons, UA superintendent. “The combined efforts allowed us to develop an even stronger relationship with our educational community by working together to provide for our scholars.”

The campaign began in fall 2019, and both groups reached their goal in spring 2020. Simmons said the project was “a lot of fun,” as students and parents were heavily involved in the fundraising efforts. Students – also known as scholars – were involved by creating videos, sharing their personal stories and the impact the additional swings would provide for them and their classmates.

“Scholars also engaged in friendly competitions and instructional projects across the campuses,” Simmons said. “The project allowed us to share our story and spread the word about our causes, while educating our students.”

Simmons also said the UT Tyler University Academy is extremely fortunate to engage with families across the communities, noting the success of the campaigns speaks to the commitment of parents in providing for their children. 

“Without our donor commitment, our goal would not have been reached, and our students would not be benefiting from the opportunities this campaign provided,” Simmons said. 

Aimee Dennis, UA–Tyler campus director, said it is important for parents in particular to be involved in fundraising projects like this one.

"The parents’ support is a testament to the common vision of enhancement shared between our families and school. I am grateful for our parents' engagement that will not only positively benefit their scholar but scholars for many years to come,” Dennis said. “As a collective team, we can find ways to support and enhance the educational environment of the scholars on campus.”

Rachel Hawkins, campus director for UA–Longview, agrees, noting that having Simmons’ and the University’s support is also an integral part of the process.

“We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from Dr. Simmons and the University as well as our parents,” Hawkins said. “Having a project that we are all working together to complete encourages collaboration and teamwork. We are blessed to have amazing parents who are eager to help and offer support whenever we reach out. In order to successfully meet the needs of our students, we must develop and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders.”

Ludivina Sorrentino serves as UA–Tyler PTO president and was instrumental in leading parents’ involvement. Sorrentino believes “parent involvement is crucial for children to be successful.” She added that getting involved at the UA is relatively simple and can range from different activities that allow parents to participate either at home or in the school.

“I was really grateful to have leadership support, but mostly to be able to have the opportunity to plan along with Dr. Simmons and Mrs. Dennis so that we can conquer this fundraiser,” said Sorrentino, a mother of three. “They are always ready to work as a team with parents and looking for ways to benefit scholars.”

Simmons added that as the campuses' enrollment continues to grow, there will be a greater need to expand the play areas across the district.

"We would like to continue to add structures to the playground areas across all three campuses," Simmons said. "Options discussed include sports court areas and additional climbers.”

For parents who are concerned, CDC guidelines are being implemented for students who use the playground equipment.

Hawkins and Dennis both noted that prior to utilizing the playground equipment, scholars must wash hands, before playing and also immediately after leaving the playground.

“We also limit the number of students on the playground and continue to encourage social distancing. The scholars love the swings!” Hawkins said.

So, what other projects are on the horizon? Sorrentino said that while it is difficult to plan for the future amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the UA–Tyler PTO has just completed their first “mini fundraiser” for the “Forgotten Lunches: No Kid Goes Hungry” project and are currently asking UA families for gently-used book donations.

“Sometimes kids forget their lunches at home or in the car, and parents can’t bring it back to school, so we have a box with prepacked sacks,” Sorrentino said. “Another project we have been working on is the Read Share Library. Since we currently don’t have a library, we know that literacy is really important, and we want to help the scholars with providing books for them.”

UA–Longview currently serves about 260 students, while UA–Tyler currently serves nearly 330 students. About 280 students utilize the campus playgrounds combined. Both Hawkins and Dennis are starting their sixth year at their respective campuses.

Currently a stay-at-home mother, Sorrentino has been involved with the UA PTO for four years. She and her husband are the UA parents of twin boys, Christopher and Adam, who are in fifth grade, and their oldest son, Joseph, who is in ninth grade.

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