I vote for the playground equipment also.
Making a positive impact on the landscaping really doesn't require alot of money. We have tons of flower beds spread around all sides of our early EL building. But they needed updated. Each fall we do a "perennial drive" I put a blurb in our newsletter asking that as people go through and clean up their flower beds that they donate splits off their larger plants or bulbs, etc no longer wanted. We have specific days. Volunteers plant them, our kid's garden club weeds in the summer.
You could do a wonderful flower bed in your front area, maybe even shrubs, etc for next to nothing with some donations and someone who enjoys gardening.
I agree with the others. The new playground equipment should be priority over landscaping. The kids don't care if there are bushes out front or not. They want to enjoy their day at school. Have a fundraiser specifically to raise the balance needed for the playground and make that the priority. In the meantime, purchase or get a garden place to donate some inexpensive pots for near the front entrance and just place some mums in them. It will create a cheery welcome for all.
If you do decide to fund the playground, I would suggest you consider donating the money to the school rather than purchasing the equipment from the playground vendor directly. We did this a couple years ago to avoid having to be the one involved in case there were warranty or liability issues, and to make it clear that the school owns the equipment, not the PTO.
I agree. It's always nice to do something for the children that makes them smile. Sure, landscaping will make the school grounds look really nice, but making the children happy is more important.
You should check into applying for a grant from Lowe's Home Improvement store to fund your landscaping and playground. Free money is always good! From what I understand about their program, they have 2 application deadlines per year. You can visit their website at
Lowe's Toolbox for Education
Their first application deadline is October 12, 2007, and they only accept the first 1500 applications.
At the end of school year the PTO was going to purchase some playground equipment and do some major landscaping. Well, now we learn from the new treasurer that there isn't as much money as we thought. Yeah, I know, it doesn't sound good. We only have money for the landscaping. I feel we should save the money we have for the landscaping and put it toward a fund for new playground equipment. I feel PTO funds should be used for something that will benefit the students and or teachers and we can fundraise for landscaping at a later date. What say you?
