Madison Middle School adds special needs swing set
A new swing set at Madison Middle School will allow children with disabilities to enjoy recess.
School officials celebrated the opening of a new playground swing set for students with special needs at a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Principal Dr. Doug Jones said he welcomed the addition to the playground.
“Adding this accessible playground equipment to our school ensures that everyone can participate in outdoor play and feel part of our school community,” Jones said.
The Madison County Schools Office of Special Services facilitated the purchase of this new playground equipment which will serve the more than 30 students at the middle school with accessibility needs, MCS Director of Special Services Vicki Doty said.
“We are proud to offer a full continuum of services in our district for students with disabilities,” Doty said. “We are continuing to expand our programs to meet the wide variety of student needs, and we are thrilled to open this playground here at Madison Middle School.”
This swing set will make a difference for students by promoting physical activity while fostering social connections and building confidence according to teacher Ashley Markland, who says, “We are excited to see the positive impact this new swing set will have on our special needs students and the entire school community.”
Jones said this addition is one of the many ways MMS looks to offer excellent education and facilities to all the students it serves.
“Madison Middle School is outstanding in so many ways, from consistently ranking among the top in the state for middle school achievement scores to providing numerous co-curricular and extracurricular activities to keep our students active and engaged in school life,” Jones said. “This new swing set is an extension of that work to make sure all students feel included and valued as important members of our Madison Middle School family.”
Special education teacher Mary Black said she is “thrilled” with the new play space.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Madison County Schools Office of Special Services as well as to our Madison Middle School administration for their unwavering support and commitment to our students' well-being,” said Black, “Inclusive playground equipment, such as this new swing set, plays a crucial role in the development and overall happiness of our students.”