ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, June 8, 1996 TAG: 9606090054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
THEY DIDN'T GO TO college for this, but Garden City Elementary School teachers found themselves hitting the playground instead of the books Friday to test new equipment.
The teachers at Garden City Elementary are really kids at heart - a secret they shared with their pupils Friday.
They climbed on the new playground equipment, hung by their arms from the bars and glided down the small slide. Some dared to go head first down the big "turbo" slide.
They were dressed for serious play in shorts, T-shirts and sneakers. Even Principal Ann Talton wore a shirt with the school's name across the front.
The children loved it. They crunched together on the playground at the Roanoke school to watch the teachers in the bright sun.
They screamed, waved and cheered them like they were players at a basketball or football game. They shouted their names and shrieked.
But this was no spontaneous outpouring of youthful exuberance.
The teachers "field tested" the playground equipment after a brief dedication to recognize businesses, community leaders and Parent-Teacher Association members who helped finance and install it.
"It's awesome," said fifth-grader Kelly Owens. "Usually they're working, and we're the ones having fun."
Shirley LaPrad, a fourth-grader, was impressed that the teachers climbed on the equipment and seemed not to be afraid of the height or the slide.
The teachers seemed to enjoy playing on the equipment almost as much as the children did watching and cheering.
"It's fun. Teachers can be kids, too," said Nannette Gagliostro, a special education teacher.
Fifth-grade teacher Amy McGee liked the role reversal.
"It took 20 years off my life," she said. "Coming down the slide, I also saw part of my life flash by, too."
Carol Latham, a first-grade teacher, said the big enclosed slide was dark inside and a little unnerving at first. "I think the kids had the most fun just watching us."
Cindy Webb, PTA president, said the school system provided $3,500 for the purchase, but it was a joint project with the Garden City neighborhood and several businesses that donated materials and services.
"That is one good thing about this community. Everybody pitches in to help get things done," Webb said. "Parents, senior citizens and others helped install the equipment."
She said parents with children too young for school often bring them to the school playground.
School and PTA officials asked the teachers to field test the equipment because they thought it would help give the children new insight into teachers' identities.
"The children don't see their teachers as human. They think their teachers eat and sleep at school - that they aren't like other people," Webb said. "We thought this would help them see a new side to their teachers."
When they finished playing, the teachers entertained the children with a song-and-dance number in front of the playground equipment.
And when the recess was over, the teachers went back to being teachers. They'll watch as the kids play at recess next week.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: WAYNE DEEL/Staff. 1. After they put their school's newby CNBplayground equipment to the test, Garden City Elementary School
teachers do a song-and-dance routine for students. 2. Students
Ashley Walker (from left), Ashlee McElvy and Ashley Foster cheer on
their teachers as they head down the "turbo" slide.