Schools
Washington School Gets New Track
The school's PTO raised funds for the track to be installed this summer
Washington Elementary School will get a new running track this summer, courtesy of the school's PTO.
The new track will open up options for the students to participate in track and field and allow more access to outside areas when the ground is wet, said Stephanie Campanello, Washington School PTO co-president. "There are several parents in who are interested in starting a Recess Runners Club. This club will provide opportunities and incentives to get kids walking and running during recess."
The PTO raised the money to fund the quarter-mile track around the school's soccer field, with construction scheduled to begin in July and take two weeks, said Campanello. It will be made out of pea gravel.
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Most of the $15,000 was raised through the annual school show, a production entirely written, directed, and performed by the parents of Washington's students, Campanello said. The variety show is done every year at the end of January.
The Board of Education and Westfield Public Schools have agreed to maintain the track "but we can always ask scouts or parents to volunteer if necessary," she said. Replacing and filling in the pea gravel is expected to cost less than $200 every two years.
