Ironwood schools seek funds for playground equipment

IRONWOOD - Nicholas Steinmetz, the elementary school principal for the Ironwood Area School District, is looking to raise funds to purchase new playground equipment for the district's third through sixth graders.

"With all of our budgets the way they are, we don't really have the money in the budget to get a new playground structure. But it is something that we really need so we are going to get creative and try and fundraise for it," Steinmetz said.

Through a combination of fundraisers and donations, Steinmetz is looking for the $44,000 needed to purchase the playground equipment that will be installed in the "dust bowl" behind the parking lot, near the baseball field where the third through sixth graders have recess.

"Our three through six students, right now, don't have a lot of playground equipment," Steinmetz said.

The playground was one of four designs provided to the district by Superior Play, with the winning design chosen by the school's second through sixth graders according to Steinmetz.

The winner was chosen for the number of things that students can play with according to Steinmetz.

"They thought this one had the most options," said Steinmetz. "They said this one had the most variety of things that could be used."

Steinmetz said some of the other designs included features, such as climbing nets.

The school will be using roughly $6,000 from Box Tops for Education as well as fundraisers such as a penny war among the grades. Steinmetz also plans on seeking donations from local businesses.

While he knows that it's a large sum of money, Steinmetz hopes to have the money raised by the end of this year so that it can be installed during the spring and summer. This would mean that students could be able to use the new equipment either this spring or next fall.

Steinmetz said anyone with questions or interested in helping can contact the elementary school office at 906-932-0932.