Coopertown Elementary PTO raises $47K for playground expansion

HAVERFORD >> A playgroundenhancement project is on the horizon for Coopertown Elementary School, thanks to a $47,000 contribution from the school’s PTO.

Speaking at a recent school board meeting, Coopertown Principal Tina Kane said parents collected $47,000 through fundraisers over the past two years. They have chosen to use the funds to expand and enhance the current playground..

Parents feel the project will benefit all students for many years to come, Kane said.

Plans call for purchasing three pieces of equipment from General Recreation Inc., including a large climbing structure, a roundabout, and multi-user swing. Equipment and layout meet Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society guidelines, Kane said.

The school district will remove one current structure, expand the playground’s perimeter and apply mulch post-installation.

General Recreation will assemble and install the equipment, Kane said, with completion expected fall 2017.

School directors voted unanimously to accept the donation.

School director Larry Feinberg expressed appreciation, adding that he knows from past experience “what kind of work goes into raising $47,000.”

Board President Denis Gray thanked the Playground Committee, parents and Kane.

“It’s phenomenal. Thank you. To raise that kind of money is a great achievement,” Gray said.

In other meeting highlights, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Saksa reviewed results of a recent English Language Arts and reading curriculum audit.

The audit included input from teachers as well as parent surveys, which about 1,300

“We found at the elementary level that we are meeting new standards but may not be meeting them at the depth that’s required,” Saksa said. Or, “we’re doing it with supplementary materials we added that aren’t part of a comprehensive set of resources.”

Teachers saw need for strong phonics program.

A majority of parents felt programs were preparing children for the next grade level. Suggestions included more emphasis on grammar and writing, as well as addition of updated texts, variety and choice of reading material. families submitted. a