Swinging with a smile at Black Mountain Elementary School

Local PTO partners with community and BCS to purchase and install ADA swing

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
April 5, 2023

Bella Proctor, a student at Black Mountain Elementary School, enjoys recess on a new ADA swing set, following a community initiative from the Black Mountain Schools PTO, BME and Buncombe County Schools. Photo by Fred McCormick

Playful laughter and excited screams echoed off the mountains surrounding Black Mountain Elementary School, March 28, as students scurried about during recess, but one smile was the brightest of all.

The joy that radiated from a freshly mulched section of the field came from fourth-grader Isabella Proctor, known to her friends and family as Bella. The source of her jubilation, a new swing capable of accommodating her wheelchair, was the result of a community effort organized by the Black Mountain Schools PTO, in partnership with Buncombe County Schools.

The addition of the ADA-compliant set, which features two swings that are accessible to students with disabilities, was a “touching” gesture, according to Bella’s mother, Jennifer Proctor.

“(Principal Michael Benigno) stopped me in the hallway one morning and showed me pictures of the design,” Jennifer said. “I was amazed, and I started crying. It’s not easy having a child with disabilities, but in so many ways she’s just like the rest of the kids here. She has a heart of gold, she’s very smart and she wants to try things, just like any other child. This gives her a chance to do what she sees her peers do at recess.”

A swing for wheelchair-bound students had long been a need at the school, according to Ann Bell, who teaches BME’s Intensive Intervention class.

“We’ve had other students in wheelchairs, and I’ve wanted one of these swings for many years,” said Bell, a special education teacher at the school for 24 years. “This principal and this PTO really jumped on it, and I’m so grateful.”

Raising money for the equipment became a priority for the volunteer-led PTO in 2021, according to president Katie Duvall.

“Two years ago I put out a wish list for all of the teachers, just for basic supplies, but at the bottom I asked them to submit extra items,” said Duvall. “I came across one teacher who said they really wanted something that would allow students in wheelchairs a chance to participate in recess, instead of watching the other kids play.”

The simple request motivated the PTO, according to the president.

“When I read that, I knew this had to happen,” she said. “We knew as soon as we raised the money it should be a priority to put it in.’

Black Mountain Schools PTO held a fun run at the primary school and “ninja” obstacle course at the elementary school last fall, as parents and community members pledged monetary sponsorships for each of the participating students. The fundraiser collected approximately $9,000 for BME, according to Duvall, covering the cost of the $4,500 swing set and future projects in the playground.

“We have a really involved PTO and great relationships with both of the schools we support, so we were really excited about the response from the community,” she said.

Black Mountain Elementary School Principal Michael Benigno pushes fourth grade student Bella Proctor on a recently installed ADA swing set at the school. Photo by Fred McCormick

Benigno, who is in his first year as principal of BME, contacted the BCS office regarding the installation of the swing set.

“They found around $9,500 in ADA money to get this done,” he said. “Our goal all along had to been to get this thing up in the spring, after the winter months.”

The equipment creates an entirely new recess experience for Bella, according to her teacher.

“It’s so exciting for her because she hasn’t had much to do out here besides us walking her around the path,” Bell said. “In the past, the students in wheelchairs haven’t had a lot of play options out here, but now they do.”

The wide smile on Bella’s face as she swings on the new set warms her mother’s heart.

“This is her first year here, and she really inspires others around here, whether it’s adults or other kids,” said Jennifer, a native of the Swannanoa Valley. “The other kids are so nice to her, and I was worried about that when she started. But, they really love her and they want to know her.”

Her classmates were excited when her new swing was installed, according to Benigno.

“They’re so supportive of Bella, and when the swing was put up a lot of them gathered around to see her swing on it,” he said. “One thing that has been obvious to me since I started here is how incredibly supportive this community is.”

The principal applauded the collaboration of the PTO and county district to address a need at the school.

“We’re fortunate to have a central office that has a big heart for the kids,” Benigno said. “We’re also lucky to have a great PTO, that really will do whatever it can to help Black Mountain Elementary and the primary school. At the end of the day, we’re all really focused on what we can do for the kids and teachers.”

Those efforts, Duvall added, required partnerships throughout the community.

“Honestly, the best way to support the PTO is just to show up to the meetings and volunteer,” she said. “If you have a business and want to partner with us, or just show love to our teachers, we appreciate that, too. We welcome parents, grandparents, teachers, community members or anyone who wants to be involved.”

The organization is currently working on constructing a track around the field at Black Mountain Primary.

“That’s supposed to get started this month, and it’s something the school has needed for a while,” she said. “Our whole goal is to improve these schools for the students and teachers, and we’re always happy when the community is involved.”