A Wall That's Built For Fun

Midland schoolchildren had a big surprise waiting for them on the first day of school earlier this month. Over the summer, a large rock-climbing wall was installed in the gym.
The multi-purpose transverse wall is equipped with different-sized handgrips that can be moved around to make the climbing course easier or more difficult. Resistance tubes can be attached to add another fitness component, and for cross-curricular activities, numbers and letters can be affixed to the wall's magnetized surface, turning it into a giant blackboard.
P. E. teachers Peter Panagos and Emily Mills came up with the idea while brainstorming something new to add to the Physical Education program.
 "We're not going to get a new gym, but this was something we could fit into our existing gym and make it better," Panagos said.
Wall climbing will be a central part of the gymnastics and circus units for all grades, and will make for a fun warm-up exercise throughout the year.
Funding for the wall was made possible through grants from the Midland PTO and the Rye YMCA, along with money from the district.
Gregg Howells, executive director of the Y, said the organization was pleased to provide a mini-grant of $1,000 for the climbing wall. "It met our criteria as an innovative, creative way to get kids moving."
Suzanna Keith, Midland PTO co-President, said that every year, with parent approval, the organization awards grants with monies raised at bi-annual silent auctions and the school fair. The PTO gifted a large portion of the climbing wall costs.
Once the School Board approved the project and funding was secured, the wall was installed over the course of a few hours. The final test was how students would react.
Though Allye Amico got off to a rough start, falling off on her first attempt and believing the rumor that her braces would get stuck to the magnetized wall, she was soon a climbing enthusiast. "I wish we could do it every day," the fifth grader said.
Rocco Macri, another fifth grader, helpfully pointed out that the wall is perfect for anyone afraid of heights, because you can go across instead of up. "Plus, we're the only elementary school here that has one, which is cool," he added.