Krista and Cody McCracken chose Cypress Ridge Elementary School (CRES) as the place to enroll their children. The school came highly recommended. It has an outstanding academic program and excellent staff and community of parents, said Krista.
The one thing that CRES did not have was a playground structure with slides. Krista described that as very important for all students but especially to kids with cognitive disabilities like SPD and Autism.
Thus the mother of two and the Cypress Ridge Elementary PTO Vice President got to work. Krista and her husband started raising funds for a playground. They were turned down for grants and hit some roadblocks along the way, but with the help of the PTO, parents, local businesses, and organizations, CRES was able to reach its goal only one year and six months later.
On Friday, April 6, the playground was ready and officially declared open at a ribbon cutting ceremony; after which, eager students sprinted to their new play area.