Education

SWR elementary school needs online votes for new playground

COURTESY PHOTO | The Miller Avenue School PTO is trying to secure two competitive grants to replace the school's current 30-year-old playground, pictured here.

The Miller Avenue PTO is trying to secure two grants to raise money for a new playground at Miller Avenue School and needs help from the public.

Anna Acker, a PTO member spearheading the efforts, said the school’s current playground is 30 years old and needs to be replaced.

“It’s basically falling apart,” she said.

She entered the school into a program run by The Clorox Company, which is giving school districts across the country the chance to win a $50,000 grant or one of four $25,000 grants.

Those who are at least 13 years old can vote for entrants, by going to the program’s website or sending a text message, to win the cash. The school with the most number of votes will win a $50,000 grant, and three schools with the next highest votes in one of three categories — explore, play and create — will win $25,000 each. A fifth school chosen by a judging panel will also win $25,000.

Voting for the Clorox program is underway and runs through Dec. 9.

The PTO plans to enter the school into a second program through Pepsi to win another $50,000 grant. Twenty Miller Avenue students are currently working on a music video with music teachers and a local dance instructor to submit into that program, Ms. Acker said.

“It’s a lot of work, but they’re having a ball,” she said.

To vote for Miller Avenue School through the Clorox program, go to the program’s website or text CLOROX3946 to 44144 (fees may apply).

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