By By Matthew Nascone
As the students of Bratt Elementary School filed back into class Tuesday from their holiday vacation, there was a surprise waiting for them on the campus of their school.
Waiting for the students was a brand new playground with all kinds of slides, bars and ladders.
"I have been here for many years as the principal and we have wanted to get a playground for a while," Bratt principal Sheryl Pomeroy said. "And PTA president Sandy Brown took the initiative to do all the fundraisers and get us our playground."
And that playground was assembled by a slew of 30 parents and local business people.
"When the kids came back they were surprised to see the playground," Pomeroy said. "We have worked hard for it and it was great to have it when we got back from break."
The campaign for the playground began before the 2005-06 season.
"Before the 2005-06 school year we had $800 in our savings account," Brown said. "We then received a $5,000 grant from Lowe's for the playground and we held our fundraisers in the form of Fall Fest and Santa Shop. Plus we had some individual contributions and we have around $18,000 by the end of the school year. And this year in early September we sold cookie dough and that raised $17,000."
With all that profit the school had around $35,000 and Bratt bought the set from Gametime out of Fort Payne and it cost $27,800. Brown said she was happy with the playground.
"I was impressed," she said. "And the most common words we got when we showed it to some students were 'Awesome' and "This is cool." I just hope they will enjoy it and the main thing is that we would like to thank anyone who helped us with money or with their time."
All that is needed is an inspection and the children of Bratt Elementary will have a place to run around and have a good time.