Children at the Palestine Primary School now play and study on school grounds cleared of rubble and broken glass and have access to a renovated restroom due to the work of local Iraqi contractors and the aid of a U.S. military civil affairs team.

The $28,000 project started in March. Repairs were made to the damaged walls, doors and classrooms and electrical wiring. The money also went toward new doors, exhaust fans, six water tanks, a water pump and toilets for a student bathroom.

Although the school remained open during the renovations, the headmaster and students held an opening ceremony last week.

"The kids did a presentation and recited their studies," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gregg Reinbold, civil affairs team sergeant, B Company, 445th Civil Affairs Battalion attached to the 5th Civil Affairs Group.

The project was slated to finish at the end of this month, but the contractor completed work early.

In addition to the renovations at the Palestine School, the following is a list of recently completed school projects:

The Aabid and Nahda Schools also were refurbished for $28,000 in early April. The repairs included installing new doors, water tanks and a water pump and repairing electrical wiring and removing of broken glass.

Repairs to the Mina Primary School for Girls and the Janeen Secondary School for Girls were completed in March 2005, for $24,000.