Benches

A ribbon cutting marks the latest addition to Smith elementary school.

The school now has new tables, and benches installed outside.

They come courtesy of a grant from Lowe's, and the hard work of Renee Gibbs, who wrote the grant.

"The children need a place to be able to go outside and also learn, and sit down, and read books, have some classroom," explains Gibbs.

The 45-hundred dollar grant originally would have built 3 tables, and 2 benches, but Gibbs wanted to stretch those dollars a little further.

So, she worked with Lowe's and PlayCore, a designer of playground equipment, to get more bang for their bucks.

When we found out what they were looking for, we found the best price," says Tony Shrum of Lowe's." 

The school ended up with 6 tables and 2, 8 foot benches.

Teachers say the tables and benches will help students study the environment, and the weather, or just get outside for a little while.

The Ooltewah school's outdoor classroom keeps expanding.

They've planted a garden.

The 4th and 5th grade garden club will be working this summer tending the plants.

By the fall, those plants may be moved into a new building, according to School Counselor Christie Maupin.

"We received grants from the Tennessee Department of Education to install a greenhouse. It just gives the teachers a lot of different opportunities and spaces to work," notes Maupin.