Pennies for playgrounds: Tilden Hogge students raise money

By Vanessa Overholser - Staff Writer

Many elementary school memories center on time on a playground. Following renovations at Tilden Hogge Elementary School last year, time out on the playground and enjoying playground equipment has become limited. Existing equipment had to be removed for safety issues and several efforts are underway to raise funds for new items.

“We need more playground equipment so students will have a better variety of equipment to play on,” said third grade teacher Angela Money.

“Children work hard in the classroom. They deserve to have a playground for their free time,” Money said.

“There are not enough slides and equipment to climb on,” said fifth grade student Autumn Meade. “We need better basketball goals because the nets are torn up and we need a better court because there is a big crack.”

During recent school renovations, students from second grade to fifth grade attended class at the Kentucky National Guard Readiness Center on KY 801. Students in kindergarten to first grade attended school at the Morehead Preschool Center while the Tilden Hogge building was being remodeled. Neither location had playground equipment. They had to use their own imaginations to entertain themselves.

While the school was being remodeled, inspectors came to look at the playground equipment that remained on the property.

“We had to remove some of the pieces because of safety issues,” said Principal Debbie Howes. “The pieces were old and were there since the beginning.”

Howes said the funds for the building construction did not include additional money for playground equipment. The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has hosted different fundraisers to finance the project.

“Our PTO had several activities,” Howes said. “We had a fall festival. Our PTO worked the bingo and we have another bingo scheduled in August.”

Another fundraiser was the annual Derby Day party May 2. At every Tilden Hogge Derby party there is an auction including baskets made by each classroom.

“This year’s specialty baskets consist of sports, bakers dozen, gardening, a man’s best friend, a beach party, pamper mom and grandma, picnic, candle, automotive, night at the movies, and a mom and dad basket,” she said.

Students are also involved in a special fundraising contest where they collect pennies to help pay for their playground.

“They keep a little bar graph in the hallway and the classrooms compete to see who collects the most pennies per unit of time and they earn awards for that so we roll a lot of pennies,” Howes said.

The students began their penny-collecting contest in September and they are still collecting them each day. So far they have collected $1,100 worth of pennies.

“We are half way there to our goal,” Howes said.

School officials said that when they want playground equipment that not only brings children joy at recess but they want to focus on healthy physical activity. The following pieces of playground equipment would do that.

The school has a wish list of equipment for the playground that includes a play system with an Alpine Thunder Slide, a climbing wall, turning wheels, a overhead loop ladder, a ring trek, a clatter bridge, a 360 Degree Spiral Slide, a loop arch climber, a coil climber and a chain net.

Students and faculty agree on the need for playground equipment.

“It’s really different for the kids to play and get the exercise they need,” said fourth/fifth grade teacher Ashley Withrow. “It really affects kids in how they get exercise and have fun. They are limited.”

“My opinion is we need more playground equipment so we can get more exercise and to play outside,” said fourth grade student Brandon Lopez.

“We have had several people who gave us money for the playground,” Howes said. “Woody Clark gave us $500; American Legion gave us $500; American Legion Auxiliary gave us $200; Guardian Automotive gave us $500 and Jim Nickell gave us $200.”

Howes said she welcomes anyone who wants to contribute to their playground. Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact the PTO Treasurer Angie McCleese. She can be reached at 780-0000 or 784-7667.

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