Welch School Competes for $50k Clorox Grant for Playground

The is hoping to draw on the magic of Clorox for a new playground – no, not the bleach itself, but rather a competitive grant program Clorox runs in which nominated schools get the chance to win big and help students thrive in exploration, creativity and play.

The elementary school tucked away at the end of Swampscott Avenue was nominated for the Power a Bright Future grant earlier this fall and now needs enough votes from anyone 13 and older by Dec. 9 to win up to $50,000 from Clorox. Each person is actually allowed to vote twice a day for their favorite nominee – once by text message and once via the official website. Voting opened Oct. 24.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Welch School project was trailing the more popular proposals from Mass. schools, having received just 483 votes. Applications are separated into categories of “Play,” “Explore,” “Create” and “Judge’s Choice,” although Clorox says five winners will be announced in January.

A playground proposal from a public Montessori charter school in Haverhill had 1,495 votes.

Welch Principal Dr. Monique Nappi says her students need a “safe, fun place” to play, something they no longer have.

The Welch is the last elementary school in Peabody to build a new playground. In recent years, the , and schools replaced their aging structures with new equipment thanks to major fundraising efforts and some Community Preservation Act money.

The this past summer – the community raised $32,000 and $35,000 came from the CPA.

The district itself has not budgeted the capital funds needed to undertake such projects in recent years.

Nappi, in the application outlining the need for a new play space, said a small “tot-lot structure” served as a playground for preschoolers to fifth-graders and other neighborhood kids until this past spring when it was deemed unsafe and removed.

Children would often return home with ripped clothing, scratches and bruises after attempting to play on the “rusting, deteriorating structure,” she said. And the only other option within walking distance for neighborhood youth is another structure that is in “questionable shape.”

“The lack of a playground has long been a source of frustration for families and children in this community,” she said.

Nappi also noted that in addition to students being able to play safely out in the fresh air, recreational programs that regularly use the fields next to the school would also benefit from having a quality play structure.

Welch Elementary is a Title I school that serves students in grades K-5, pre-kindergarten and two Head Start programs.

Nappi said the school really needs two structures: one for ages two to five and the other for students five- to 12-years-old.

“In the fight against childhood obesity, keeping children active is crucial. The second reason the Welch School needs a playground is for school pride. The school and the grounds are in need of repair. A new play structure would go a long way towards helping students feel pride in their school,” she said.

Nappi also noted Welch students come from three homeless shelters, 45 percent of students take English as a Second Language, 72 percent of students receive free or reduced lunches and the student body has the highest obesity rating in the city. The school PTO runs monthly Family Fitness Nights.

How to vote:

Go to www.powerabrightfuture.com and click on “Vote Now” then simply enter “Peabody” in the location search field. The first time you vote you will need to create a user account.

Your other option is to text “clorox1385” to 44144. There are no extra charges from Clorox, but depending on your plan, message and data rates may apply.

You can vote both ways once each day until Dec. 9.