Upper and Middle School students are no longer permitted on the playscape following recent reports of damage to the equipment. The week of November 18, the following notice was sent out to the Upper School through the morning announcements:
“The equipment on the Playscape is designed for children ages 12 and under. So far this year, we have seen damage to some equipment and student injury, both of which can be attributed to [Middle School] and [Upper School] student use of equipment that isn’t designed for students of their age. For that reason, moving forward, [Upper School] students are only permitted on the Playscape if they are accompanying a [Lower School] aged child.”
Head of School Julia de la Torre explained that the equipment is regularly inspected by both staff and the manufacturers. The playscape is only three years old, yet the inspectors are “finding that the wear and tear is more significant than we would want it to be at this point,” de la Torre noted.
“We’re not sure what’s causing it, but we’re guessing part of it is having people who are older than the designed age for the equipment using it on a regular basis,” de la Torre said. “So we’ve noticed that Middle and Upper School kids, usually after school, are using it.”
Sixth grader Khushi Patel ’31 said she does not feel very strongly about the restriction but shared that she has many friends who are upset.
“Some of the boys really like going on [the Playscape], and then sometimes after school, we go on it but that’s really it,” Patel said. With that, Patel’s peers Hunter Collier ’31 and Miles Mason ’31 exclaimed “It’s not fair, it’s not fair at all.”
Seventh grader Chase Kolaris ’30 said, “This has a negative effect on my mental health because I like to hang out with my friends after school, but now I have to sit in the Dining Hall and do nothing.”
In the Upper School, students including Kyle Meriweather ’26 and Zev Smith ’26, who often choose to go to the Playscape for Alternative Meetings for Worship, do not feel personally affected by the change.
On the other hand, Ella Lutz ’26 said, “It’s kind of sad because it was fun to use that space occasionally, but now it’s completely gone.”
Several other upperclassmen declared that not allowing older kids on the playscape is “ageist” and “discrimination,” but clarified that they were joking when further questioned.
de la Torre emphasized, “I wish we could have them enjoy the space and protect the space as well” and explained that after school, students are expected to either be picked up or go to the Dining Hall, and the window between 3:15 and 3:30 is when teachers have seen older kids on the playground. If students want to play outside briefly after school, de la Torre suggested the fields or courtyard near the Peace Poll as an alternative.
