Spartans of all ages experience the wonder of play inside and outside the classroom. Play is a foundation of learning, and Steward teachers regularly incorporate play in their courses and curricula. Weather permitting, all Steward students spend time outside daily during the school year. 

This year, Lower and Middle School students have even more ways to engage in playful outdoor exploration and imaginative self-expression. 

The junior kindergarten playscape in the carpool loop now includes a sand pit. Here, young hands can dig, scoop, pour, and build. 

“Sand is a wonderfully tactile medium for play,” said Lower School Director Becky Groves. “Sand play encourages our youngest Spartans to explore their environment through sensory stimulation. When JKers gather for sand play, they develop their motor skills as they engage in imaginative, creative play. Plus, they have a lot of fun!” 

Mrs. Groves added, “Miles Harris ’26, Jack Magrill ’26, and Oliver McGregor ’26 also created storage structures for that space, which are modeled after similar pieces at the Bryan Innovation Lab. Oliver’s mother, Kristen McGregor, generously donated the supplies for the storage pieces. These structures will allow the junior kindergarten teachers to rotate the materials for their play workshops.” Junior kindergarten students can also express their artistic creativity thanks to a new outdoor easel. 

New artificial turf was installed this summer on the Lower School playground. The kid-friendly surface is a safe alternative to mulch and is Spartan-friendly! In addition, new bounce platforms added to the Lower School playground give children more opportunities for outdoor creative play. The bounce platforms are large, springy circles made of recycled rubber that encourage children to safely hop, jump, and spring into action during play. 

These fun Lower School upgrades were made possible through the generosity and hard work of our Parents Association volunteers. Over the past three years, the PA has donated a total of $100,000 toward the project, which was completed in summer 2024. Funds were raised through special events and fundraisers, including the Gala and Auction. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Parents Association! 

A Middle School ball pit, located on the edge of the field near the service road, is an ideal area for students to gather for a type of dodgeball known as GaGa — a gentler form of the classic game. GaGa is a high-energy, fast-paced game that can easily accommodate lots of players. Last year’s eighth-grade class selected the pit as their class gift and donated funds toward the ball pit. 

In 2023, The Ingrid Moore Champions of Play Award was created to honor the memory of Ingrid Moore, a beloved leader and educator who began her tenure at The Steward School in 2015. Mrs. Moore died on March 20, 2023; her family created the award to honor her belief in the wonder of play and its transformative power. The award is given annually to a Steward faculty member from any division who has incorporated play in a project or installation, course, or curriculum. Your gift to the Champions of Play Award ensures that Spartans from junior kindergarten through grade 12 benefit from the power of play.