The 20 members of the Evergreen Junior High School Principal’s Advisory Board have worked hard to improve their school.

The fifth- through eighth-graders’ most recent target is the playground.

The advisory council has raised $1,800 toward a $3,000 goal to put in a volleyball court, soccer field, picnic tables, benches and other playground equipment.

Advisory council members eighth-grader Katie Dixon and fifth-grader Kadin Jones said the members felt there aren’t enough options for students to choose from during recess.

“[We want] to make more options for kids to get active,” Dixon said. “I wanted to add an outside volleyball court and some tables and benches. I love volleyball and there are times when you want to sit and watch others play or just talk to your friends.”

Evergreen Junior High Principal Kim Anderson said the advisory council was established a couple of years ago “for kids to make a footprint in the building” through projects to improve school culture, climate and facilities. Anderson said members also gain skills in organizing, fundraising and leadership.

“We host events so that kids are excited to be at school,” Jones said.

Dixon said she joined the advisory council “to make changes in our school and make it the way students might want it.”

Teachers recommend five students from each grade level to be on the Principal’s Advisory Board.

In past years, members have done special projects for teacher appreciation week, raised school spirit during pep assemblies and provided input on school policy such as the dress code, for example.

“They meet with me monthly. I think it’s important that students know their voices are heard. We want them to want to run in instead of run out [of school],” Anderson said.

Now advisory council members are eager to see the playground project come to fruition.

“They have been focused fully on this project this year,” Anderson said. “They have made the phone calls asking for donations. They learn what to say and what would be the worst that could happen — someone could say ‘no.’”

The Principal’s Advisory Council will continue raising money for the playground project by holding a car wash from 3:45 to 6 p.m. Monday.

Dixon and Jones said they hope to raise between $400 and $500.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.