Name that hippo

There’s a new animal that will be hanging out at Gingerbread Preschool and it needs a name.

A lifesize hippopotamus–albeit not a real one–is the newest addition to the renovations at Gingerbread Preschool. The preschool, which has been undergoing a much-needed update since it closed for the summer, will reopen for school on Sept. 29. A hippo statue will now reside in the school’s new play yard.

Name suggestions for the water mammal (“hippopotamus” means “water horse” in Greek) will be taken from the public now through Sept. 19. Suggestions may be emailed to gingerbread@ci.pleasanton.ca.us or mailed to City of Pleasanton, P.O. Box 520, Pleasanton, CA 94566. Responders should include their name selection, their own name, mailing address, phone number and email address. The winning name will be announced at a rededication event for the preschool on Oct. 11.

Also at the rededication ceremony, a commemorative book written and illustrated by Gingerbread staff, titled “A Hippo in Pleasanton?” will be sold to the public in limited supply. Proceeds will support the preschool progra.

In addition to the hippo, the playground also includes a concrete play and art terrace, trellis canopy, sandbox, slide, mud play area, garden, tricycle path and tunnel, outdoor circle area, swings, climbing structure and storytelling circle. A separate play area has also been constructed for the Gingersnaps program for children 21 months to 3 years old.

For more information, call Becky Hopkins at 931-3432.