This summer the roof and central heating and cooling system at East Elementary were replaced, and a 4-classroom wing was added for an increasing enrollment. The upgrades brought a new life to the 69-year old campus. While BISD administration is working to improve activities inside the classroom, the PTO has been busy working to improve their students’ outdoors experience. A company named KaBOOM! provides grants to schools in need of funding that meet certain requirements; the PTO created and submitted a video called Playground Blues, with a song written by the choir director and sung by East students. The current playground was built by the previous principal, Danny Cox, many years ago and has seen its share of sunny days. Wear and tear is not the only trouble with the play area; it’s simply not suited for little children.
KaBOOM! chose East Elementary as a recipient for $15,000 to purchase new playground equipment that will consist of age-appropriate slides, monkey bars, and climbing areas for the pre- and kindergarten students. The new playground will be installed behind the addition as a separate play area for the younger children. “We’re very excited,” said East principal Nanda Wilbourn. “The old playground is great and the kids love it, but it’s not good for the little ones.” On Saturday, September 10, friends and family of East students are invited to meet at 8:00 AM to help build the new playset.
The PTO recently also applied for a “School Transformation Grant” through Parenting Magazine to help revitalize the current playground with $20,000. Voting is open on the following website: http://www.parenting.com/mom-congress/contest/entry/brownwood-east-elementary. Register and vote for East Elementary today – there are lots of schools and every person counts!
You can help East Elementary by transforming the way the children play outdoors. Help make the campus a safe, fun place for children to be while they enjoy their recreation time. Vote online and then come out to the community build on September 10. It’s not just for the students now, but for children who will enjoy the equipment for years to come.
About East Elementary: East Elementary is a historic school in Brownwood Texas. It has 337 children and houses pre-K through third grades. It is a title one school with over 70% of the population living at the poverty level. However, the heart of the campus is one of generosity with a beautiful spirit of community according to a BISD news release.
