RJO's Project Playground Swings Into Action

Rudy Massimo has been principal of for eleven years and for eleven years his students have been telling him one thing; we need a new playground.

Playgrounds don't come cheap and in a time when school districts are cutting back budgets, they usually don't come at all. But Julie Lingner, head of the school's Parent Faculty Organization is not detered.

"The PFO had $5,000 left over from last year, we have $5,000 from this year and we fundraised for $5,000," said Linger.

According to Lingner, the current equipment is outdated and is more suited for younger kids.

"What we have now is more appropriate for the younger grades," said Lingner.

The organization has also recieved grant money from a company called Miracle, $7,500 for Phase I and $9,000 for Phase II. Still, addtional funds are needed to continue with Phase II.

Phase I will include a tower with a slide and will be installed in November.  Linger is hopeful that enough funds will be raised for Phase II to be completed by the end of the school year.

Massimo says the district has committed to installing the new equipment, which cuts down on the overall cost of the project.

"They have taken on that commitment because the PFO has raised so much money," said Massimo.

Donors who contribute $250 or more will have their names displayed in the playground area.

Anyone wishing to contribute can mail their donations to the school in an envelope marked RJO-PFO Project Playground or visit their website.