On the second of two Blue Ball Elementary School (BBES) back-to-school nights, principal Heather Schrantz wore a bright pink BBES shirt as she and assistant principal Andrew Kreider laid out dishes of ice cream in a variety of flavors on tables set up behind the school. As Schrantz spooned bright blue sprinkles onto scoops of vanilla ice cream, she talked excitedly about the new playground that was completed at the school over the summer.

"We started talking about a potential playground mid-spring," recalled Schrantz. "There was an old structure (behind the school), and there were some issues with it." Among those issues was a lack of accessibility for children from ELANCO and other school districts who are served by the multiple disabilities (MDS) classroom at the school. "All those children need supports and assistance, and many are in wheelchairs," explained Schrantz. "We knew everything had to be wheelchair accessible."

The Blue Ball PTO recommended reaching out to Swing Kingdom in Leola. "We told (Swing Kingdom) what we needed, and they started putting it together," said Schrantz. The new playground includes a climbing structure and swings. "We needed a surface we could take the wheelchairs on," said Schrantz of the new playground foundation that also provides a soft landing. "The wheelchairs can roll across it easily." Schrantz noted that all the ramps but one (on the climbing structure) are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. In addition, a new swing enables a wheelchair to roll right onto it for use.

"(The new playground) came together quickly," said Schrantz, who explained that at the end of the school year, the district removed the old playground and some trees to prepare the site. Swing Kingdom then completed the customized design and was able to install the new structure during two weeks in July. The playground was ready for children to enjoy in early August and was unveiled to visitors at the back-to-school nights.

"Kudos to our district office (because) they were very generous in their support," said Schrantz. "We have one of (only a few) handicapped-accessible playgrounds in the county. That's really cool, and we feel so fortunate."

Back-to-school nights are set up to give children a chance to meet their new teachers. BBES held back-to-school night for fourth- through sixth-graders and their families on Aug. 16. Kindergartners through third-graders and their families visited on Aug. 17. "The families come in the front door, and the students visit teachers and make their way to the playground in the back," said Schrantz. Along with the ice cream and new playground, table displays were set up behind the building and staffed by representatives of Blue Ball Elementary food services, Blue Ball PTO, ELANCO Released Time, Cub Scout Pack 148 of New Holland, and Cub Scout Pack 172 of Terre Hill.