By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



It did not seem like December on Monday when some fifth-graders at Fultondale Elementary School played and romped on brand new playground equipment.

Temperatures were in the 70s as boys and girls climbed a rock wall, swung on shiny new swings and played on the slides.

The school opened for class almost a year ago, moving from its old facility on Walkers Chapel Road.

Everything in the school is high-tech and modern, but there were no funds left over for playground equipment.

The school, the PTA and the community have been raising money all year to pay for the equipment.

Fultondale Elementary School principal Cynde Cornelius said the equipment cost a little less than was originally expected. Leftover funds will be used to buy new mulch for the playground as needed, and for upkeep.

Workers installed the new equipment during the week of Thanksgiving.

Cornelius said the students stared from the other side of the playground fence for several days while the concrete dried.

Then there was a cold snap that kept students indoors.

But they were finally turned loose on the playground last week. Monday was the first day that the fifth-graders had used the equipment, according to coach Manuel Cook. He said the children love being able to play on their new playground.

“We’re so excited to finally have it,” said Cornelius.

She said that in the future, a bench and a gazebo will also be installed on the playground.