Page 53 - proof 8 December 2017 The Castle Pines Connection

Thanks to TTE students more children will enjoy Coyote Ridge Park
By Lynne Marsala Basche
Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) third-grade students participated in a Project Based Learning (PBL) unit called “Putting the Pieces Together.” PBL teaches students to acquire knowledge and skills by investigating and creating solutions
to real-world challenges. As part of the lesson, students became playground engineers tasked with modifying a playspace to meet the needs of children with autism.
Students learned about the disorder, conducted research, and in October, they presented their recommendations to modify Coyote Ridge Park to the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) and the Castle Pines Parks Authority.
Based on the recommendations, three local organizations are contributing or donating $10,000 to install new playground equipment at Coyote Ridge Park. The Castle Pines
Parks Authority is purchasing three KidForce Spinners and one Volta Accessible Spinner. The CPNMD is removing the old equipment, as well as installing the new pieces. The TTE Parent Teacher organization is helping with the purchase of the new playground equipment.
“We were impressed with the amount of research these third-graders put into identifying playground equipment that would appeal to children with autism,” said Jim Nikkel, district manager for CPNMD. “We're con dent that
the equipment we chose from the students' selections will appeal to the diverse needs of our Castle Pines youth.”
The new equipment is expected next month, and once installed, kids of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy Coyote Ridge Park even more.
Read more about the project in the November issue of The Connection.
CastlePinesConnection.com 53 The Mystery History tradition
continues at DCSM
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of DCS Montessori School
A beloved DCS Montessori (DCSM) tradition, Mystery History is in its16th year and was held in late October. Each student in grades four through six researched a gure who made a lasting impression or an important contribution around the world ancient civilization to 1400 CE and presented a report dressed as their character. In attendance were Cleopatra, Julius Cesar, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Archimedes and Socrates to name a few. Organizer Ryoko Futasani transformed her classroom into the Serengeti in Africa with wall-size murals, Masai artifacts, Boma fence
and zebra patterns. “This is a lot of work. I start planning one year ahead,” said Futasani. “Last year was Dia de los Mueltos in Mexico. Two years ago was the Ming Dynasty. Because the faces that I see when the students enter the room are priceless, I have to keep doing [it].”
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