Rochester Middle School children of all ability levels now have a safe and accessible place to play, thanks to a $15,000 donation from the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.
With funding from the Chehalis Tribe, the Rochester Middle School finished a fenced play area with a picnic table and accessible swing set this week.
“This is just a wonderful project with the Chehalis Tribe and the Rochester School District coming together for our kids,” said Rochester School District Superintendent Jennifer Bethman.
Members of the Chehalis Tribe formally blessed the new playground during a ceremony on Thursday.
“We’re so incredibly grateful for our partnership with the tribe. Just the fact that they were willing to come in and help us with something that we as a district weren’t able to provide our kiddos is just incredible,” Rochester School District Director of Special Services Laura Staley said following the blessing ceremony on Thursday.
The fenced playground is intended to help kids who can’t regulate where they’re going stay safe while allowing them to use playground equipment and play with their peers.
“It is so moving for our students … in our district to have the opportunity to have this space set for them, for especially students who have different types of abilities, that this is something that can really help them feel just better about themselves, feel like they’re connecting with other kids,” Staley said.
The Rochester School District and the Chehalis Tribe began working on plans for the new playground last year, with construction beginning in the late fall. While the work itself took about a month-and-a-half total, it was spread over about six months due to winter weather.
“The Chehalis Tribe receives a lot of requests for donations. Many do not get funded, but those that do get funded, my personal favorites are ones that help kids out,” Chehalis Tribal Chairman Dustin Klatush said. “ … Today, we’re celebrating an asset that will be in the community for years to come, so, my hands go up to our tribe, tribal leaders, our tribal elders, who brought us to where we are today, and the faculty here at Rochester. We appreciate everything you guys do for our kids and our community.”
Klatush added that several of his children attended school in the Rochester School District, and that many other Chehalis Tribe members have children in the district, as well.
“Seeing some of our young tribal members here too that are out here … That’s the future,” he said.
“It’s a special moment for the Rochester Chehalis Tribe communities, because since time immemorial, we have been connected to each other for so many generations, and we can continue to help each other out,” said Rodney Youkton, chief community relations officer for Lucky Eagle Casino, which is owned and operated by the Chehalis Tribe. “When in need, there’s things that we could do to help each other, support each other, and it’s just like the braids that we have in our hair. Each strand represents you. We put this braid together, we’re strong as one. There’s nothing that can break that braid because of what we believe in, what our strength is and how we can help each other out, because now we’re connected.”
