MOSES LAKE — A new fence at Sage Point Elementary School is helping create a safer playground environment for students, thanks to a partnership between local businesses and the Moses Lake School District. 

The recently completed project closed off an unprotected area between the school's blacktop playground and a nearby roadway used by buses and neighborhood traffic. The fence was funded through a grant from Home Depot, while Cortez Fencing donated labor, equipment and resources to install it before students return for the new school year. 

For Sage Point Principal Robin Kimbro, the project addresses a longstanding safety concern. 

"When the place was built, the end of the blacktop area that went right into the bus drive was left open," Kimbro said. "The kids were playing four square and basketball at that end, and the balls were rolling out into the road. If you don't have an adult standing right there to stop them, they'll just run out into the road to get the ball." 

The issue caught the attention of Adam Sawyer, the Moses Lake School District's assistant executive director of safety and well-being, who approached Kimbro this spring about adding a fence to the area. 

According to Kimbro, the school worked with Home Depot to apply for a grant that covered the fencing materials. Once approved, the project moved quickly. 

"Within a couple of weeks of getting the grant and having everything organized, Cortez Fencing was out here and had it done within like three hours," she said. "It was done, lickety-split." 

The approximately 70-foot fence leaves openings for students to access buses and the school's playfield while preventing them from running directly into the roadway. 

Kimbro said the improvement benefits both students and playground supervisors. 

"When they go out to recess, we do have at least three paras out there watching kids," she said. "This is going to free up our paras to make sure they're able to watch over kids in all areas." 

While the school had not experienced any accidents, Kimbro said staff regularly saw children attempt to chase balls that rolled into traffic areas. 

"If an adult isn't standing there right at that moment, we can't always catch those kids to make that safe choice,” she said.  

Sawyer said the project reflects the district's ongoing commitment to student safety and well-being. 

"Our Safety and Well-Being team ensures that while we are visiting our school buildings, we keep our eyes open for potential risks," Sawyer said. "Our number one priority is the safety of our staff and students. Building this barrier fence between the Sage Point recess blacktop and the roadway became one of our team's top safety priorities this spring." 

Sawyer said physical safety improvements contribute to students' overall success in the classroom. 

"'You can't educate a child who feels unsafe,'" he said, quoting former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders. "Not only are the safety and well-being of our MLSD students important for obvious reasons, but they are also important for the learning achievement of our students." 

The project also highlights the impact local businesses can have on schools, Sawyer said. 

"I would love to give a huge shout-out to our local Moses Lake Home Depot and also Cortez Fencing," he said. "Both of these businesses have made these fencing safety enhancement projects possible." 

According to Sawyer, Home Depot donated all of the materials needed for the fencing project through its grant program, while Cortez Fencing donated its time and expertise to complete the installation. 

Kimbro said the community's willingness to step forward and solve a problem was especially meaningful. 

"Sage Point sits out on the peninsula, and people may not necessarily see us out here and see that need," she said. "So, it's nice to say, 'Hey, we do have this need,' and they're willing to say, 'Yeah, let's do this. Let's make that right for you.'" 

The project was completed just in time for the start of the school year, meeting the school's goal of having the fence installed by mid-August. 

For Kimbro, the result is simple. 

"It improves our safety, and we're very excited about that," she said. "It's really important that we keep our kiddos safe, and this fence is going to be huge for that."