Spicewood Elementary School students presented City of Round Rock officials with a $2,200 check to be used for the city’s Play for All Park expansion.
The students raised the funds for the donation through registration fees for the campus’ Coding for a Cause club, in alignment with International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. Each student was invited to contribute a suggested donation of $20 with some families donating more funds.
“As an IB school, we emphasize that kids are part of the community and world they live in right now,” said Julie Haney, Spicewood instructional technology specialist. “Coding for a Cause is a way for our students to find something in the community that they could contribute to while they do something they love.”
Nearly 100 students from kindergarten through fifth grade will participate in The Coding for a Cause club this year. Each week, students and teachers will work with iPads to learn computer science while having fun.
“Coding for a Cause is a really good club for people who like to code and give back to others,” Spicewood fifth-grade student Will McLellane said. “It’s nice to help and learn how to code.”
The Play for All Park, located in Round Rock, was opened in 2012 with a mission to provide children of all abilities to play in a safe environment for their needs. The park includes sensory pods for children with autism and playscapes and swings accessible for all visitors.
The Play for All Foundation has raised more than $400,000 to date for the park expansion with hopes of breaking ground in early 2017, said Roger Heaney, City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department marketing specialist.
“It’s amazing how kids have the heart to help kids, especially those who have special needs,” Heaney said. “This donation speaks to the quality of the park and the fact that it’s for special needs and non-special needs kids to play together, side-by-side in harmony. It definitely touches our heart to see kids helping kids.”
