PTSA plans with district to install ball courts

Written by Paige Castren

PTSA has plans to install two half basketball courts between the gym and the 50s wing, tetherball courts where the picnic tables by the pool are now, and a volleyball court by the E-building to encourage the implementation of a “closed campus.”

The project was more expensive than expected. ASB contributed some money, but they couldn’t give more because of work that needed to be done on the marquee. PTSA received about $500 by asking people to donate at MAZE day last year. They also charged more for the brunch sales during finals and had more people sign up to do the mock SAT. Thus, they had about $4000 at the end of the 2008-2009 school year.

PTSA president Melinda Kufeld said this will be a “direct benefit to students.” Since there are plans down the line to close the campus during lunch, PTSA wants to provide on-campus activities for students. They want to encourage students to stay on campus because doing so will cut down on lunch time traffic.

“It would be safer for everyone,” Kufeld said.

PTSA treasurer Francine Louden is working directly with the Fremont Unified School District. She says that the biggest thing they need is people to donate and install cement for the tetherball courts. Once the district gives the final approval, the next step will be to order the equipment. Louden hopes that at least the basketball courts will be installed in about four weeks.

Kufeld met with activities director Helen Paris and principal Linda Fernandez, ASB president Brian McMahon and ASB member Melanie Wilhite at the end of last year, to discuss possible project ideas. ASB members gave specific ideas about what students would want to do during lunch time. Kufeld wasn’t surprised that they wanted basketball and volleyball courts, but she was surprised about the tetherball courts.

“High school students are big kids at heart. They still want to play games they played at recess in elementary school,” Kufeld said.

Since the kickball tournament last spring was such a success, Paris figures that students will enjoy these new facilities.

“Kids can play and laugh and have fun,” Paris said.

ASB is going to be responsible for checking out balls to students and putting up the nets and certain lunch time activities days.

Kufeld aspires this will have a positive impact on students. She knows this will not appeal to everyone, but she hopes it will be a good investment.