news-record.com

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts is working hard to raise funds so it can work hard to beautify the campus this spring.

Linda Willard, school office support, started researching landscaping ideas last year. Toms Creek Nursery of Denton drew up a plan for the school that includes drought-resistant plants, which would cut down on the need for watering.

The school would also like eight benches and eight planters near the school’s entrances. “We want to make this campus a more user-friendly place for the community,” Willard said.

The goal is to raise $3,000 to $3,500 and start work when the weather warms up.

Willard said the school will accept funds or plants that are included on the drought-resistant list, such as pink ruffles crape myrtles, Carissa hollies, blue star juniper and black flowering fountain grass. There are 14 plants on the list with no less than two of each in the landscape plan.

The school has received $700 from the Lenny Peters Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hummel of Greensboro.

The Hayden-Harman Foundation has pledged support to get a historical marker for the school and help with the landscaping, but hasn’t given a dollar amount yet. The marker will commemorate the founding of the High Point Normal and Industrial School on the site.

Willard has also applied for Lowe’s Hardware’s “Toolbox for Education” grant. The school was turned down twice, but a third application is pending.

“I have sent out over 155 letters to various foundations and groups asking for donations,” Willard said. She has also filled out many online grant applications.

The high school service clubs will help with the landscaping and plan to help the Hayden-Harman Foundation with an Adopt-A-Street project along Washington Street.

“As you know, Washington Street is now a National Historic District. We need to make our school really stand out and, hopefully, encourage our neighbors to do the same,” Willard said.

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves @news-record.com