Children at the Fleeta School near Opp will have more safe and modern playground accessories to enjoy in the near future.

House Speaker Seth Hammett and State Senator Jimmy Holley announced Tuesday that the physical education needs of Fleeta School students will be enhanced by the addition of new playground equipment at the school.

The $10,000 grant comes from the Alabama Department of Education.

"Physical fitness development is just as important as academic achievement in turning out well-rounded students," said Hammett. "This grant will assist Fleeta students in achieving that goal."

"We must not underestimate the value of physical education for our children," said Holley. "This Department of Education funding addresses a critical need at Fleeta School."

School Principal Roger McLain said the playground equipment currently in use is a Depression-era set that no longer meets the physical education needs of modern students.

"We've had no new playground equipment at Fleeta since 1937. We put new seats in the swings and used the old chains," said McLain.

"The new equipment we want to buy will help develop physical endurance, equipment like what is in the Dream Park in Andalusia. We want monkey bars and climbing equipment in addition to swings and seesaws."