
Submitted by June Clark
AEK celebrated the unveiling of their new playground fence, which was part of a project to celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary, on Aug. 19.
Tucked in the woods behind the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Vestavia Hills is a hidden gem of a playground tailored to the young children who attend the Ascension Episcopal Kindergarten (AEK) preschool program. On Aug. 19, AEK unveiled a colorful new fence to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary. The six-foot tall fence is comprised of wooden pickets cut and painted to resemble red, blue, yellow and green crayons. Each picket bears the name of a child, family or business who contributed to help build the fence. Families, church members, faculty and staff gathered to enjoy ice cream, play and pose for pictures with their pickets.
AEK’s doors first opened in September 1967 with the mission of fostering the best educational and emotional experience possible to help children learn, play and grow through their earliest years. Initially, two classes served children ages 3-5 and individuals gave their time and funds to prepare classrooms and a playground for the inaugural classes of students. Since that time, the program has grown to serve children from six months to five years in age in seven classrooms.
“Over the past five decades, we have blossomed thanks to our commitments to play-based learning, small class sizes, highly-qualified faculty and the support of the best students and families,” says AEK Director Laura Maddox, who served as an AEK teacher for 14 years before becoming director in 2013. “The new fence perfectly projects the fun and creative spirit of our school. I love looking at the names and remembering so many people who have played a part in AEK’s 50-year history.”
When Maddox considered a fitting legacy to celebrate the school’s 50 years serving the children of Vestavia Hills and surrounding areas, she envisioned a new wooden fence to replace portions of a worn, damaged chain-link fence that would provide a bright, happy welcome to the children, church members and neighbors who visit the playground. Maddox and AEK Teacher June Clark began the AEK Grow with Us Playground Legacy Fence Campaign in the fall of 2017 and received resounding support for the project.
“It was so much fun to connect with current and past families, former teachers and directors, church members and community supporters who were incredibly enthusiastic about our crayon fence,” says Clark. “The project turned out better than we ever could have imagined and we are grateful to everyone who purchased pickets. My five-year-old gets so excited to see her name on the fence every time she goes to the playground.”
The first AEK playground was a small space in the church courtyard with equipment donated and installed by volunteers. The equipment was moved to the current playground location in 1986, when the church sanctuary was constructed. In 1993, AEK raised the funds to install a fence and purchase school-grade play structures, and, in 2014, a group of AEK parents raised funds to provide essential updates to the equipment and grounds.
On March 20, 2018, AEK invited current and past friends to attend a special birthday-themed music program presented by its young students. A team of parent volunteers planned a celebration to follow in the church hall with music, refreshments and recognition for contributors to the fence campaign.
“AEK is such a special place to our family and has been for generations,” says Carol Rumore, whose children and grandchildren have attended AEK. “We were delighted to take part in helping build the colorful new fence and can’t wait for our youngest grandchild to start preschool at AEK soon. We love helping out the school in any way we can.”
For more information about AEK, please visit the school’s website, ascensionkindergarten.com.
Submitted by June Clark