Submitted by Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205.

On Monday, Nov. 9, Emerson Elementary School held a special ribbon cutting ceremony for their new playground donated by funds from the Emerson PTA and the school community. The students at Emerson never had a playground to use during recess time. The only playground that Emerson had is located very close to West Ave. and was unsafe to use during the lunch/recess time.

The new playground campaign was led by Emerson parent Amanda Tolman. The PTA donated $10,000 toward the project and hoped through fundraising efforts that the community would match the donation. Needless to say, the school community exceeded the amount from the PTA and raised $12,000 to complete the project. Various fundraising campaigns held at school included: Hat Day, Gum Day, and Choose the Color Day. Each classroom had a jar and students donated money to participate in the special days. The classroom who raised the most money, cut the ribbon and was rewarded with the first recess on the new playground.