A typical ribbon-cutting ends with smiles, applause, and a ribbon fluttering to the ground. Friday morning at Anna K. Davie Elementary, the ribbon-cutting for the school’s new playground ended with something a little different: a mini playdate on the new equipment.
Anna K. Davie students have been using the playground for the first two weeks of school, and Principal Brant Amerman pointed to a large slide while speaking to the audience.
"One of the students’ favorite parts is this big slide right here. There is a big, long line of students waiting to go down that slide," Amerman said. "I've heard the older kids working hard to get across those monkey bars, and I remember when I was in elementary school, that was like a rite of passage. I'm glad our students can have those same experiences."
Moments after the ribbon-cutting, Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland, Amerman, and even Board members Alvin Jackson and Marquita Davis tested out the big slide as several others hopped on the swings. The adults enjoyed equipment that has been a long time coming.
The journey toward the new playground began several years ago with approximately $4,000 already raised for the project when Amerman became principal. As Anna K. Davie focused heavily on improving student achievement, other members of the AKD team continued working behind the scenes to make the playground a reality.
A team effort from PTO President Aimee Cook and AKD staff members, along with numerous fundraisers, allowed the school to raise even more. Kelly Overby applied for a Community Foundation grant. Although the school didn't receive the grant, outside donations, along with additional support from Rome City Schools, gave the school the funds needed to install the new playground.
"We talk a lot about team at AKD, and this playground is evidence of that," Amerman said. "It wasn't just me. It wasn't just Mrs. Kimmie Whatley. It was a team effort to make this new playground a reality for our students."
Rome City Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dennis Drummond praised the school and its supporters for their persistence while noting that the playground also supports the district's larger goals for students.
"We believe that recess and physical education for our students are incredibly important, so we truly believe that while this is a playground, this will help us move the needle," Dr. Drummond said. "On behalf of Dr. Holland and our exemplary school board, great job, AKD team. It is beautiful."
For Amerman, the morning was ultimately about much more than new playground equipment. It was the culmination of years of work by people who shared the same goal of giving Anna K. Davie students something they could enjoy for years to come.
"We have an incredible team at AKD," Amerman said. "This playground is evidence of that."