Report of the
Be the Difference Work Day,
March 28, 2009
By: Groverlee Dahl
With district personnel paving the way, big changes were happening at Richvale when a merry group of volunteers, attacked Richvale Schools and Gym early in the morning on Saturday, March 28th. As CSEA worker, and "Be the Difference Steering Committee Member" Dave North planned his makeover of the crumbling breezeway, the many volunteers power-washed, trimmed, raked, scraped, sanded, shoveled, and painted. By the time the last of the group left late that afternoon, the main school was ready for some caulking and a final painting, the gym had a work-over outside and in, and the old school had been power washed almost completely.
Appropriately the children's favorite tree, which had been doomed to the woodpile by PG&E, had been miraculously "saved" by Ian Carlisle, who had been an expert tree trimmer before becoming a pastor. The branches no longer scraped against the electric lines and tennis court fence after he and his chain saw had done their magic. Mike Bultema and his trailer were on hand at the end of the day to help haul away the wood and leave the "surprise" clean and beautiful for the children when they arrived at school on Monday.
Superintendent Bill Cornelius was there in the morning to oversee and donated his own money to feed the hungry workers at lunch. Power washers Curt Josiassen, Eldon Lundberg, Onofre Farfan, Rayburn McDonald, Rob Krampitz, Debbie Melton, and Grove Dahl left the place glistening by four o'clock that afternoon. Grove also had a willing young helper, Andrea Farfan to help her prepare the bathrooms for painting. Susan Stone, Debbie Mattson, Lynelle Job, Carolyn Iverson-Krampitz, Marla Wagner and Carolyn Josiassen pulled weeds, pruned unruly plants and cleaned the areas so the building could be painted, and helped ready the garden for the children's planting. The back board of the bang ball court was painted, the weeds in the tennis court sprayed, and the stage sanded and readied for new paint. Proving that EVERYONE can help to make a difference, Dee Reed, who was unable to work, sustained the volunteers with her wonderful homemade cookies, and Phillip Stone made the run to Biggs for Mr. Cornelius' Pizza Lunch.
District maintenance employee, Tom Morris, had prepared the grounds that week and was in the process of fixing some of the problem water mains. Dave Browning, another BUSD employee, planned to line the pavement for games, and has been in the process of installing the see-saw purchased for the playground by the Richvale Parents' Club.
Next week while the Biggs Elementary and BHS 's "Be the Difference" volunteers work their magic for the Biggs Schools, the Richvale volunteers hope to caulk the "new" Richvale School, the last step in preparing it for paint. Finishing power washing the "98-year-old- School" in the hopes of giving her a face lift before the Richvale Centennial on the 27th of June will be another priority. They still need volunteers to work on the gym and cafeteria, wash and patch the stage curtain, caulk areas, and clear the grounds for a "mission-look" garden at the old school/post office building.
Members of the community are urged to donate and/or work to make the needed changes in ALL of our schools. Monies can be paid to "Be the Difference" Campaign in care of the Richvale-Biggs Educational Foundation, 300 B Street, Biggs, CA. Monies can be earmarked for: the painting or fixing of a specific school, technology, Ag. Education at all schools, Scholarships for other areas or needs. The Foundation Board and the "Be the Difference Steering Committee" will oversee all funds so they go where intended.
Sun West Rice, always a generous contributor, to the Biggs Schools has adopted the Remedial Math and Reading Lab at BES. In partner with the community, Sun West has promised to donate $1.00 for every $3.00 up to $15,000 to make this lab a reality. If anyone wishes to help in this endeavor donations can be earmarked for the this Wolverine Den.
The "Be the Difference" group is the brainchild of a Biggs Retired Teacher, who after two bond failures decided to bring the community together with a common goal--getting the schools rejuvenated after some years of hard times. With the economy as it is, she is excited that so many have signed up for the improvement programs. People have chosen to "adopt" schools, special programs, and specific areas to beautify and manage. They have donated their expertise as landscapers, painters, contractors and electricians. The group is still looking for expert volunteers of plumbing, heating and air, roofing and gym floor refinishing. They hope to hire people at their fair wage…part or all of which may be donated back as a tax-deductible donation to the school. Anyone wishing to be a "part of the solution" is encouraged to call either Grove Dahl, the District Office or anyone on the Be the Difference Steering Committee to join. Those members are: Angela Thompson, Jennie Felkins, Robin Swanson, Janet Smith, Shannon Carr, Kari Wheeler, Dean Richins, Steve Francis, Cecilia Garcial, Suzanne Francis, Carolyn josiassen, Terry Lattemore, Robin Clark, Dave North, and Susan Stone.
The next work day for all schools will be April 4th. Help out that day, or sign up for another. There is much to accomplish, but it CAN be done! Be the Difference; get involved!
