Students will be able to get some play time in before the snow falls at Horace Mann Elementary School in West Allis.
This morning volunteers started building a new improved playground and the goal is to finish it in eight hours.
"The kids are very excited," said Justin Kosek, a teacher at Horace Mann. "They want to see more pictures of it, they can't wait to come out."
Horace Mann already has a playground, but its tiny and not suitable for all the students.
"With the school being up to fifth grade, we're looking at kids up to the age of 12," said Kosek. "We're looking at having things more physical for them."
The school also has another option, but that requires the students to leave the school and get across two streets.
"It's a good six to seven-minute walk down two roads," said Kosek. "And to get there, we have to go through two intersections. It eats away in their recess time transitioning from the school to the playground."
A few months ago, Kosek applied for The Toolbox for Education Grant. It helps build better schools and communities and has provided over $49 million to more than 11,000 schools across the country. When Kosek discovered Horace Mann Elementary School was awarded $50,000, he asked parents to roll up their sleeves and pitch in to help build the new playground.
"I have a third grader here and she complains about falling over the barriers," said Carynn Dominguez a parent of a third grader. "A lot of bruises and bumps as we all try to cram into a small place. I'm very excited to help build this new playground."
The new playground will include a "Summit Climber", a "Play Web," and a couple of picnic benches. The goal is to have the new playground ready to go this Friday.
