The kids need a place to play

For most students or teachers, recess is an important part of the school day, and without playground equipment, it can be hard for elementary school students to enjoy that break from learning.

Conway School District's newest elementary school, which is being built on Padgett Road, is currently without playground equipment for its students, but a group of parents are working on changing that.

"The bottom line is when you have a new elementary school, there is not much money built into the construction budget for the playground and that is nothing new," Charlotte Green, who will be the school's principal, said Thursday. "But we have a wonderful group of parents who are working on an upcoming fundraiser to get a jump start on the funds so when school starts in August, the kids will have a place to play."

A fundraising cookout and picnic will be held at Ruth Doyle Intermediate School from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, and according to Green, the event will provide fun for the whole family.

"The fundraiser is not just for the kids, it's really a nice, family event we want to provide for the community because the community has already invested so much in us," Green said.

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According to Green, First State Bank is providing food and drinks and the dinner will be $5 per person or five people for $20, Smoothie King will be selling smoothies with all proceeds going to the playground, there will be six balloon bounces, courtesy of Hiegel Lumber and Supply and King's Quest and live entertainment will be provided by Jamie Fisher of Y107 and Matthew Huff, a fourth-grade teacher at Jim Stone Elementary School. Local retail businesses will also be donating employees to help during the fundraiser, she said.

"And because the community has really joined together to help us by donating supplies for the event, 100 percent of all funds raised will go directly to the playground," Green said.

Parent volunteer Laura Simpson said one thing many people don't realize is the real cost of an elementary school playground. She said one equipment unit will range from $40,000 to $80,000.

"That does not include swings and basketball courts, so we will be looking at at least $100,000 to complete a playground to be used by about 150 kids at a time," Green said. "And since schools are public facilities, their playgrounds serve as small parks for the whole community."

Simpson added another form of community support comes as a helping hand from Don Greenland of Nabholz Construction Co.

"Don is helping us with finding bids through different playground companies and he has also agreed to help with the installation," Simpson said. "We have had so much support like that with businesses and what we're asking for now is the people of the community to step up, come out and help with it."

Melanie Brindley, parent volunteer, said a silent auction will also take place during the fundraiser that will offer gift packages made of donations from several local businesses.

"It started off as a dessert auction, and we tried to contact every restaurant in Conway and the majority of them have given us something, but it has expanded to include not only desserts, but gift certificates and gift cards as well," Brindley said. "And we have also received donations from other local businesses, including cleaners, spas and retail stores."

Another important part of the fundraiser will be giving community members the chance to help "pave the way to the playground" by purchasing and personalizing bricks, which will be donated by Nabholz Construction.

"When we had our first meeting for the fundraiser, everyone had such wonderful ideas and somebody brought up a brick fundraiser," parent volunteer Jennifer Moix said. "And we thought this would be something the school could continue to do for several years and eventually replace the empty bricks with new ones."

Moix said the cost is $25 per engraved line on the brick, with a maximum of four lines, and added it is a wonderful way to record a family's name, a student or teacher's name, a loved one or a business.

"I think it will be just a permanent thing people can do to start the year off right at a brand-new school," Moix said.

A donation booth will also be set up at the fundraiser, cash or checks will be accepted and donations are tax-deductible. Those attending are welcome to bring chairs or blankets to sit on to enjoy the picnic.

(Staff writer Jessica Bauer can be reached by e-mail at jessica.bauer@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236. To comment on this and other stories in the Log Cabin, log on to www.thecabin.net. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)