Church members refurbish school
First Presbyterian Church of Edmond members helped spruce up an adjacent school as part of a special project.
EDMOND — More than 300 members of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond literally “loved their neighbor” across the street and spent a recent Saturday at Central Middle School in the church’s first “Serve Day” at the school, 500 E 9.
“Our students have enjoyed the new recess equipment, the teacher’s lounge is refreshed, our landscape looks better than it has in years, and our school is sparkling! The encouraging notes and gifts of chocolate to the teachers was the icing on top!” said Laura McGee, principal at Central.
Other than the eight sub-construction committees at the school, there were about 15 people sorting and categorizing 443 pounds of personal hygiene items to be distributed at Project 66 and 420 pounds to Hope Center, said Sharon Boecking, church coordinator.
At Central, every locker and every desk was disinfected, an old aluminum shed was demolished, trees were trimmed and leaves gathered and disposed, the Teachers’ Lounge was painted, new umbrellas for shade were installed, leafing and edging in the courtyard and the courtyard benches were re-stained, a retaining wall was cemented in and a “Gaga Pit” — a circular enclosed play area — was installed outside along with refurbished rims and nets for basketball goals.
Dozens of the church’s youths placed encouraging notes and chocolate in each teacher’s room, and also worked on the landscaping of the school.
Meanwhile, on the church campus, several Central middle school students worked on the church’s early childhood program playground, remulched, swept, refilled sand in the sandbox and water-sealed all wooden toys and dollhouses, then went over to Central and helped with the efforts there.
The refreshment team and lunch team provided refreshments, cookies and 10 slow cookers of soups.
The church at 1001 S Rankin will be making a return visit to the adjacent school in the summer.