Cortes Island School to Get New Accessible Playground

The Ministry of Education and Child Care has announced that Cortes Island School will be one of several schools around the province to receive a new accessible playground through the Playground Equipment Program (PEP).

Cortes School will receive $195,000 in funding towards their new playground. It is anticipated that the new playground will be installed next school year.

Playgrounds promote physical activity, while encouraging students to share and develop conflict-resolution skills. They also provide students with opportunities to learn new things, reduce anxiety, improve focus, increase attention span, and enhance gross-motor, social, emotional and sensory development.

School districts can apply for PEP funding from the ministry each year. Playgrounds are funded based on greatest need and priority is given to schools where there is no playground at all, then to schools where the existing playground is aging.