Chants of "Walking to play," "We want a new playground" and "Sherman rocks!" rang out in front of Watertown's Sherman Elementary School throughout the day Friday.

From the beginning of school at 8:45 a.m. until dismissal at 2:45 p.m., students walked the loop in front of the building in 30-minute shifts for the playground walk-a-thon.

"I want to get better stuff instead of the boring stuff we have now," said Zevin A. Esch, 8.

The playground in the back of the school has bent wood, holes, uneven bars and other dangerous equipment.

"There's parts we don't let the kids play on because it's dangerous," said Kristen K. Bauter, kindergarten teacher and playground committee chairwoman. "It's taken a beating. We need to improve it and get better equipment for the students."

Every student took home a form to collect pledges for the walk-a-thon. So far, the students have raised more than $4,700.

Erica L. Russell, second-grade teacher, has a disabled student in her class and said the new handicapped-accessible equipment will bring that student closer to her classmates.

"She'll be able to be more active with the other kids," she said. "It'll be good for all the kids, so they can exercise and be active."

Every student and staff member wore a T-shirt Friday that said "I walked for the Sherman playground."

"It's bringing everybody together," Mrs. Bauter said. "It's also team building."

Plans are still being made for the playground, but Mrs. Bauter said she hopes everything will be completed by August 2009. Donations can be made to the Sherman Elementary PTO and can be dropped off at the main office.