Fort Concho Elementary's 3rd Graders Help Rebuild a City

Third graders from Fort Concho Elementary are working on a huge project. However, it's not on a typical map of the United States or a silhouette self portrait; these kids are helping to rebuild Safety City in San Angelo.

“The students are working on a project to help revitalize some of the older buildings that are in disrepair at this location,” Fire Marshal Ross Coleman stated. “We’ve got dilapidated buildings; we have markings on the ground, pavement issues--and stuff like that--things that we want to see improved, and that’s going to be their project.”

Third grade teacher Tammy Fluitt explained that the project is part of a competition for gifted and talented students.

"They were looking for something with a problem and resolution," she said. "They were trying to find their passion, trying to figure out, 'What do we want to do? We want to help somebody,' and I threw the idea out there."

The students responded positively to Mrs. Fluitt's idea.

"They met with the Safety City Board, and they made a proposal to them and said, 'Can we help? Can we write letters? Can we have a day at the mall? Can we have a big work day?' They had all of these ideas. You name it, they wanted to do everything," Mrs. Fluitt noted.

Of course, the board approved and the idea was put into action. The president of the board has been meeting with the students every Friday to make a checklist to help them get closer to their goal.

To help raise the funds for this project, the students designed t-shirts printed by Adobe Signs. The 3^rd graders will be selling the shirts for $15 on March 12 at Sunset Mall from 1 to 4 p.m.

"The t-shirts only cost $5 [to make] so the other $10 goes directly to Safety City. Every penny that is donated, or we make, goes into the revitalization of Safety City," Mrs. Fluitt added.

The work day will be April 9th, 8:30 a.m. to noon, and food will be provided. However, Mrs. Fluitt stated, "If more people sign up to volunteer, then we will have two shifts. We are just hoping that we can get all of San Angelo involved and they can help by giving money, buying a t-shirt, or helping us on the volunteer day."

Currently, donations - whether monetary or construction materials - can be made at Fort Concho. If people want more information about the project, they can call the Fort at (325) 481-2646.