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Elementary School Playground Dedicated

Central Unified School District and the Foundation for Central Schools celebrated the dedication of the recently-completed James K. Polk Elementary School Playground on Friday, Feb. 23, 2007.

Funding for the playground structure was provided by The McCaffrey Group. The Fresno company announced its sponsorship of Project Play-a capital campaign implemented by the Foundation for Central Schools to fund playground equipment for Central Unified's elementary schools—in the spring of 2006.

With more than 50 years of land development and home building expertise, The McCaffrey Group is a locally owned and family-operated company that is one of the premier home builders in Central California. It was honored by the Fresno Business Council in 2004 with the Central California Business In Excellence Award for Real Estate/Construction. The McCaffrey Group is a past supporter of Central Unified School District's students and was the first donor to pledge $50,000 to Project Play.

"Many of the students at Polk Elementary live in McCaffrey Homes, so we feel that this gift allows us not only to give back to the community, but to those families who have supported us. We also believe in the Central Unified School District and the work they do for the children of our community," said Robert A. McCaffrey, president of The McCaffrey Group.

The Foundation for Central Schools, established in 2003 as an independent non-profit public charity, was formed to encourage increased community involvement and investment in Central Unified schools. The mission of the Foundation is to provide support for student performance by mobilizing community investment in the pillars of academics, athletics, agriculture and the arts.

"On behalf of the students and staff at Polk Elementary, we sincerely appreciate this very generous gift from The McCaffrey Group and are pleased to celebrate the completion of the project," said Phil Neufeld, chairman of the Foundation for Central Schools.

The dedication ceremony was held on the campus of Polk Elementary School, located at 2195 N. Polk Ave., directly in front of the new playground equipment. Attendees included members of the McCaffrey family, several state and city representatives, members of Central Unified's Board of Trustees and the Foundation for Central Schools, and other Central Unified employees. After a welcoming address by Dr. Ryder, 200 Polk Elementary first and second grade students spiritedly serenaded the visitors with a song that welcomed everyone to their school. Comments were also made by Phil Neufeld, the Chairman of the Foundation for Central Schools, Karen Garlick, the Polk Elementary principal, and Karen McCaffrey of the McCaffrey Group.

The highlight of the event was when the ceremonial ribbon was cut by Karen McCaffrey, officially declaring the playground open. Dozens of eager Polk Elementary students rushed forward to slide, swing and climb on the new addition to their school.