Iron Mountain school donates to all-access playground

IRON MOUNTAIN -- Students at Iron Mountain School took part in the Lake Antoine Park Partners fundraiser for the all-access playground at the lake.

Through combined efforts from students, teachers, families and the community, they raised $1,630.28.

At North Elementary, Principal Ashley Thomas and Natalie Gasperich, a third grader who is very involved with the LAPP fundraiser, shared a story with North Elementary kindergartners through third graders. They read "I Get Around in my Own Special Way" by Donna Goldman, opening a great learning opportunity and awareness about celebrating differences, accessibility and the new playground at Lake Antoine. Gasperich's family donated a copy of the book to each of their classrooms.

At the middle school/high school, they also posted a question on the library windows about what belonging means to students, the way district students interacted with each other, their insights and reflections -- was great. They are talking about doing something like this on an ongoing basis. It was fun to stand in the hallway and chat with students as they added their post-its, brainstorming ideas.

They did more than just collect money -- they integrated it into the core of what it feels like to be a Mountaineer. Every day they are finding ways to support, belong, contribute and develop the culture around the district.