Anthony Buccilli and his Panther Valley Elementary classmates crowded around the gates of their new playground, waiting for Principal Robert Palazzo to open them.

As the path was cleared, Buccilli and his fellow students made a mad dash onto the new equipment.

“I’ve been waiting all summer for this,” the third-grader said.

He was among the first students to try out the new ladders and slides Thursday night as the school finally got a playground after almost a decade without one.

Panther Valley Elementary School cut the ribbon on the new playground Thursday night, culminating a yearlong fundraising effort that included businesses, nonprofits and, most importantly, students and teachers themselves.

Students and teachers raised $10,000 through penny wars, book fairs and dress-down days. The playground will be used during recess and open to the community 3-5 p.m. on weekdays.

During the dedication, Palazzo quoted Mr. Rogers, who said that while play is regarded as relief from serious learning, for children, play is serious learning.

“A playground is where students learn how to get along with one another, share, communicate and resolve differences. These are lifelong skills that students need to use for the rest of their lives,” Palazzo said.

The driving force behind the fundraisers at the school was volunteer Bertha Shreffler, Palazzo said.

He called her the most giving human he’s ever met.

Shreffler, whose granddaughter helped cut the ribbon, called the scene a dream come true.

“This is the coolest scene ever. Those kids couldn’t wait to get in there. We got a playground. Our kids got a playground,” she said.

The school community’s energy was matched by grants from businesses and nonprofits. The nonprofit Kaboom! And Dr Pepper/Snapple Group gave a $15,000 grant.

The Carbon County Community Foundation and Ametek Foundation also gave big donations.

Palazzo also thanked Frank Ingrassia and Symmetry Construction Associates.

While he knew how to raise funds, Palazzo admitted he knew nothing about building a playground. But Ingrassia’s crew stepped in to get the job done.

They were assisted by a group of volunteers from Ametek and St. Luke’s, another donor to the project.

Families had a chance to buy commemorative bricks which will be placed around the playground.

The ribbon cutting reflected the community spirit of the playground project. Local fire companies and nonprofits sold food and baked goods. Nesquehoning Hose Co. No. 1 and American Fire Co. No. 1 extended their ladder trucks over the playground with an American flag draped in between. A local singing group gave a showstopping rendition of the national anthem.

Diana Gomez and her family attended the opening.

She said her daughter, who is entering first grade, was excited about the playground all year. And she was excited, too.

“I feel like it’s super important for kids to play outside in order to learn in their environment,” she said.

She praised Palazzo for taking the leadership to bring the playground to Panther Valley. She recalled how he told students he would eat bugs if they met a fundraising goal, and stayed true to his word.

“I’m super proud he is the principal. He’s working not only on the playground but the whole learning experience, the whole learning environment for Panther Valley,” she said.