‘Go Green’: Coosa Valley Elementary to get Pre-K Play Space

Published 3:33 pm Thursday, October 26, 2017

A new Pre-K program began in some Pell City elementary schools at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year. One of those pre-k programs is at Coosa Valley Elementary school, where the class of 16 four-year olds attend “big school” to begin their education early.

Coosa Valley Elementary School counselor Jill McCombs saw a need for a separate play space for these smaller students and when a grant opportunity became available, she took it.

“They needed a separate space that is their own to play in,” McCombs said. “They will have a playhouse, play equipment, and a planter that they can watch things grow.”

The conversion of a portion of the grounds at Coosa Valley to be used for the pre-k play area was approved at the Pell City Board of Education meeting on Monday. The Coosa Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council grant awarded will include ground cover, mulch, fencing, and play equipment. Labor will be provided by volunteers.

“We will work with parents of the preschoolers, the St. Clair Soil and Conservation District, and community support,” said McCombs.

The play area will feature environmentally friendly products and the playhouse selected will help teach the children about conservation.

Construction will begin when funds are finalized from the grant.

The Pell City Board of Education also opted to rescind the surplus of three school buses, which they will use as activity buses. Members also discussed the election of Board Officers, with Cecil Fomby elected as Chairman and Jeff Jones elected Vice Chairman.

Dr. Michael Barber, Pell City Schools Superintendent reminded attendees that it is football homecoming week for Pell City, who will be playing Ft. Payne this Friday. Pell City Schools will dismiss early at 1 p.m. and the homecoming parade will begin at 3 p.m.

The Board also approved the roofing projects for the Board of Education Central Office and the Center for Education and Performing Arts building, which sustained storm damage. The roofing amount will be $153,300, which will be reimbursed by Risk Management less $2000 deductible fee. The projects are expected to begin by the second week of November and be completed after winter break.