PTO Projects

In the past the SJS PTO has contributed to the yearly school budget.  Past yearly budget contributions were $7,000.  Last year it was voted on by the School Board Committee  to take out the PTO contribution from the school budget and have the PTO funds go towards a project to help improve the school.  These projects are large projects that would otherwise not be funded and will have an impact on the way the school looks inside and out.

SJS P.T.O Project 2011/2012  School Year

St. Joseph School has been a thriving part of the Haverhill community since 1888.  In that time the school has continually grown and changed to meet the needs of its student body through the vision of its leadership.

Our late Pastor, Father Dennis Nason, called on the school to spotlight the exterior of the school.  He felt that the public image of St. Joseph has weakened and if we wished to present an image of our school to the public that was reflective of the wonderful work that happens within then we must make the lower school yard more appealing.

Additionally, a functional play space is as necessary to our students as textbooks and computer equipment.  Research has shown that exercise is an important factor in concentration and focus.  The brain needs oxygen provided through movement to enable optimal learning for our students.  They need to be able to run, jump and play on interactive equipment during recess so that they will be able to focus on academic skills being taught during the day.  Further, with childhood obesity on the rise and children not being able to just "go play" in the neighborhood, our students need equipment to utilize at school.

To meet these needs, the PTO has created a program called H.O.P.E. - Help Our Playground Evolve.

We want to honor the memory of Father Nason by dedicating our new school yard in his memory and we want to give our children a safe, imaginative play area that meets the needs of a growing student population.

Our plan is to re-grade and re-level the entire lower school yard, install a play-safe surface on approximately half of the yard and place a playground structure that is age appropriate for grades K-4 on top of the saftey surface.  The remaining half of the yard, will be re-paves and install a functioning basketball hoop.  Additionally, a hopscotch court and four square will be painted on the asphalt. The retaining wall will be repaird and a new pvc-coated chain link fence will be installed around the entire perimeter of the lower school yard.  Finally, landscaping will be done to add visual impact to the yard.

Below is an Update to the H.O.P.E. project as of December 31, 2011:

What has been completed:

• Paving
• Fencing
• Add portable basketball hoop to lower playground.
• Railing added near cafe door.
• Cement Wall repair complete.
• Playground Equipment ordered
• 1/2 Deposit placed to hold pricing on installation on playground equipment and saftey surfacing

Outstanding Items for 2011/2012 School Year:

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• Install equipment and saftey surfacing during April Vacation
• Paint pavement with school yard games such as 4 squares, hop scotch, kickball diamond, etc. in both playgrounds.
• Mural for lower playground

 H.O.P.E. Costing information:

Funds Raised during 2011/2012 school year as of January 31, 2012

Total Funds Raised to Date as of December 31, 2011: