Sticking it to Huntley

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

On Feb. 13 students at Brentwood Elementary School got to ‘Stick it’ to their principal Laurie Huntley. The students purchased lengths of duct tape and then took turns taping Huntley to a wall in the gym.
The students raised over $700, which was matched by Glen Shaw, for the new playground the school is building.
This isn’t the first time Huntley has shown her pride for the school.
“I have been duct taped in the past. I’ve actually put up a tent and spent the night on top of the school before, I have eaten live bugs, I’ve kissed a pig,” said Huntley laughing.
“If they raise the money, I will do pretty much anything they ask me to. The kids love it, the year we did the bug thing that was probably the toughest one, even the kids were (cringing).”
The night she stayed up on the roof was very windy but still kind of fun. She sat out there in the evening on a lawn chair and the kids would come out and say hi.
“I’m pretty brave for most things and I like it, it’s pretty fun to have the kids do stuff and get excited with you,” said Huntley.
The playground project is being put together by the Friends of Brentwood School Society, which is a small group of dedicated parent volunteers.
Currently the society is working on raising funds for the new playground structure. The total cost of the project is $223,441.15 and there is the possibility of a matching grant through the Community Facility Enhancement Program in the amount of $111,172.58.
The new structure will be the third one on the school grounds. The first is approximately 20 years old, and the most recent one, built in 2010, is wheelchair accessible.
“This new structure will complement the current existing structure and was chosen by the students of Brentwood after Christmas,” said Friends of Brentwood President Michelle Elaschuk.
“It will be comprised of a main structure with lots of climbing ropes, ladders, monkey bars and a slide, a zip line and the possibility of two saucers swings.”
The Friends of Brentwood School Society was created to provide an avenue for donors, businesses and community members to be able to support the activities at the school while providing a strong foundation for the future.
“We have done a few fundraising ventures this year. First was our Farm to School Vegetable sales fundraiser which raised money and veggies for the local food bank,” said Elaschuk.That saw 250 lbs of potatoes donated, plus carrots, onions, cabbage and parsnips. In January there was a movie night, February saw ‘Stick It to Huntley’ and there are plans in the works for two more fundraisers, including a community-wide outdoor movie night.
To date the society and the school have managed to raise $84,207.85 of the necessary $111,172.58 and already have plans on different initiatives that can raise the remaining $26,964.73.
Huntley praises Elaschuk as being instrumental in applying for grant funding, and spearheading some of the fundraisers.
“She’s the driving force behind our fundraiser for the playground,” said Huntley.
“The reason why I contribute my time and energy into a project like this is I believe in leading by example starts at home. I try to model good citizenship. It is what makes things happen and our community better place to live,” said Elaschuk.
“I am very lucky to have a great group of parents that are incredibly supportive. Without them, we would be miles behind where we are now.”
The hope is to have the grand opening for the new structure at the playground in a year from now, which also happens to be Brentwood School’s 35th anniversary.