Commemorative Bricks for New Turf
Rachel Jordan (VHEE partner in education rep), Dr. Mark Richardson (VHEE principal), Paul DeMarco, Melissa McMurray (PTO president), Betts Johnson (Paving the Future for East; chair) and Cindy Echols (assistant principal).
In 2014, under the leadership of Jenny Waters, all fundraising dollars raised by the Vestavia Hills Elementary East PTO went toward a new turf for the school’s back playground. In an effort to spruce up the new area, the PTO decided to sell commemorative bricks/pavers to be placed leading to the new turf. Once the bricks sold, PTO leaders realized the scale of the project was slightly over budget. The principal, Dr. Mark Richardson, took the PTO’s safety concerns to the Board of Education, and Superintendent Sheila Phillips approved the remaining funds needed to pave the area all the way from the second-grade steps to the turf. This portion of the project was made possible by a grant from Paul DeMarco to the Board of Education.
The PTO is currently in the process of a second push to sell more bricks as they pave the way to the future at East. Bricks can be purchased for $100 made payable to the Vestavia East PTO and can have up to three lines with 15 characters each. They make great graduation or birthday gifts. Families might also want to honor a teacher at the end of the year. There is even a brick in memory of a class guinea pig that recently passed away. Forms can be found in the front office.
In the next installation, a brick with Paul DeMarco’s name will be added as a small token of the PTO’s appreciation for his helping make this project possible. Feel free to stop by and take a look at the project. The goal is that the children will enjoy these improvements for many years to come.
-Submitted by Betts Johnson
