NATCHEZ — It all started a year ago … elementary teachers thought, “We’ve got to do something about the dirt.”

That’s what got the plans in motion to give the Cathedral Elementary School playground a complete makeover.

Play is one of the most vital activities in the human experience which benefits all ages and keeps life fun. Teachers at Cathedral feel play is an essential part of a student’s development and socialization. Cathedral’s mission statement is to develop, encourage and support the spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social and physical growth of each member of our school community. Having the new, state-of-the-art playground equipment aids in accomplishing this mission. Plus, it makes school exciting.

Cathedral School students participate in an annual magazine sale fundraiser. Profit from elementary students’ sales went toward the purchase of the playground equipment. They raised nearly $16,000. The remainder of the funds came from individual contributors.

The choice was made to buy more equipment as opposed to pay labor cost. So, the school community planned a build day. Alumni, parents, faculty and even students themselves have come out to help in this effort.

Many local companies have generously donated equipment, materials as well as kind acts of service. By week’s end, the dirt areas will have been replaced with an amazing combination of custom designed play structures from Planet Recess, Inc. This has been a fun and exciting project for the Cathedral family.