Kate Goodrich Elementary School has been awarded a $5,000 Toolbox for Education grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation for updating playground equipment and the construction of an outdoor classroom. The grant covers a significant portion of the $18,000 needed for the project, with the rest coming from additional fundraising efforts that are now in progress.
The school also received $2,700 through special education, $2,000 from the Kate Goodrich PTO and $500 from the physical education department for the students’ involvement in a fitness program last year.
Kate Goodrich principal Mark Jahnke said the school has now collected a little more than half the money needed for the project.
The project at Kate Goodrich includes installing new pieces of playground equipment, including climbing and hanging bars. An outdoor classroom complete with six picnic tables will also be constructed with help from Merrill Boy Scout Brett Woller, who will be leading the work to complete his Eagle Scout service project. The classroom will provide teaching opportunities both during the day and in after-school programs. It is also the hope of the staff that neighborhood families will enjoy using it outside of school hours. The project is scheduled to be complete in August.
Now, the school is engaged in a number of fundraising efforts, including reaching out to area businesses and families at Kate Goodrich to make donations. The next fundraising effort will be an all-school assembly challenging the students to raise $500 through a coloring contest, special snack and dress up days, a pie-throwing contest and winning a special lunch with Mr. Jahnke, principal of Kate Goodrich. Parents will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets toward winning “Summer Fun” baskets put together by donations from staff.
“We are thrilled to receive this generous grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. The $5,000 will go a long way in helping us to achieve our goal,” said Sandi Rusch, a teacher at Kate Goodrich. “The new playground equipment and outdoor classroom will be a welcome addition to our school community. We look forward to sharing additional fundraising efforts.”
Kate Goodrich was one of more than 585 schools or parent organizations to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education during the 2011-2012 school year. The grant is for parent-initiated school improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education across the United States.
For more information on the project or to make a donation, contact Jahnke at 715-536-5233. Donations may be mailed to Kate Goodrich Elementary, Attn. Mark Jahnke, 505 W. 10th St., Merrill, WI 54452.