The Toy Deck: A Special Place to Laugh, Play, and Learn
“Stand here if you’d like someone to play with you!” A sign with these ten seemingly simple words has hung on the wall of the roof deck for years, reminding Grace students that opportunities to find—and be—a friend are never far away.
When students stand underneath the sign, a classmate is quick to appear beside them and invite them to join their game. On Friday, January 10, the words took on special significance as the Toy Deck, named in memory of beloved Grace teacher and alumnus Alex Toy ’07, officially opened. The sign, redesigned and rehung with great care, is ready to inspire the kindness, courage, and empathy our students practice at Grace every day.
As our youngest students ran onto the new space, laughing and cheering with delight, they encountered an intricate play structure (aptly named the Griffin's Nest) and excitedly began to explore the towering, aviary-like jungle gym. They climbed over, under, and around the shiny metallic spirals and colorful ropes before discovering the swings and resting—albeit briefly—as they swayed from side to side and giggled with their friends.
Other children made a beeline to the just-right-amount-of-challenging climbing wall and began to determinedly scale the structure, pausing intermittently to laugh at a friend’s joke. Many were drawn to the open space, perfect for play and interactions, while others took a break on the benches, designed for contemplation and rest. The entire Toy Deck is set upon sustainably sourced, spongy flooring in Grace blue, of course, and a vibrant mural will be added this spring.
The Toy Deck is a special place for children to laugh, play, and learn. Its realization would not have been possible without the generous support of the community, upon whom Alex left a lasting impact. We are thrilled knowing that our youngest students will enjoy the Toy Deck for years to come, honoring Alex’s kindness, compassion, and gentle spirit as they do.