Georgetown PTO playground project progressing

By Michele Hardy

Another school year began for students at Georgetown Elementary School Aug. 21. The campus looks new and clean with its grounds resurfaced and fresh paint of playground games and bear cub tracks. Kindergartners were greeted with a brand new basketball hoop designed just for those little guys.

Over the last few years the school’s Parent Teacher Organization has been building momentum with playground improvements.

In 2007-08 a local parent went to a school district board meeting with a request to improve the children’s playground. In 2009-10 the fundraisers began with a Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest and flower bulb orders. The students were rewarded with the installation of two spinner seats designed to build core strength, balance, and to get riders dizzy.

In 2011-12 installation of a 3-foot tall turning bar for hanging and twirling was accomplished with the same fundraisers and annual support from the PTO.

This semester PTO’s playground project committee plans to replace a missing traverse section from the existing play structure, improve the kinder-corner with a handball wall and dual rope climb, and purchase snow shovels and hacky sacks for recess play.

The ultimate goal for the playground project is a tripod style climbing structure called the Galaxy. This Galaxy is handicapped accessible and has three separate spinning devices that encourages children to hold on tight, twirl and rock.

PTO needs to raise $19,000 to purchase the goal playground equipment. So far the fundraisers, combined with PTO support, generates an average of $2,000 per year toward the playground project. Plans to continue current annual fundraisers and begin new ones, such as a fall festival with a pumpkin carving contest and several carnival booths, are underway. Local organizations and churches are invited to contact the Georgetown Elementary School if interested in participating fall 2013.

PTO is reaching out to the community to take an interest, visit the school and a PTO meeting to see if there may be a small way individuals can help. One doesn’t need to be a busy parent or teacher to participate in the Parent Teacher Organization and make a difference in the lives of local youth.

Last spring Georgetown Elementary awarded 50 volunteers with gifts and recognition. Following this school semester PTO is planning on rewarding Georgetown Elementary volunteers with an auction using “mad money.” Volunteers will get to spend fake money on real items based on how much time they spend volunteering. Auction items are gathered by donations to the school’s PTO Auction. Those with worthy auction items or wishing to donate time, services or products are invited to contact the school at 530-333-8320 or Michele Hardy at 530-334-0702.

PTO meetings are scheduled to be held on the third Tuesday of each month in room 505 on the Georgetown School campus at 3 p.m.