By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Jefferson Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
noticed most of the playground equipment for the Great Bend grade school is
over 50 years old. The PTO heard over and over again from teachers and students
that they would like to see something enhance the recess experience.
Ashley
Klein, serving as the vice president of the Jefferson PTO, said their board has
pledged $15,000 to get the fundraising started for new equipment.
"Earlier this year, we decided we had enough of a start that we could deliver something," said Klein. "In years past, there's been lots of thought about doing something with the playground but it was a lot of money. A PTO would start, but there would be turnover as kids grew up. We decided if we're going to do this, we were 100 percent going to give the kids something."
In working with a playground manufacturer, the Jefferson PTO has set a goal of
raising $40,000. Marked off in three tiers (good, better and best), the level
of equipment they purchase will depend on how many private donations they
receive in the next few weeks.
With $20,000 already secured, Klein said Jefferson will purchase the equipment
in April and hope to schedule installation this summer.
"We talked to students and spent a lot of time with the principal," said Klein. "The principal talked with the playground equipment company. If this was our budget, what type of things would give us the most bang for our buck? We had a big catalog of options we started with."
Jefferson is taking donations of any size, and contributors of $1,500 or more
will be named on a plaque near the new equipment.
Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the Jefferson School office and there
is a Venmo link below.
Jefferson PTO thanks all the businesses who have already shown their support for the project. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
