November 12, 2007
State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell
Reports Toll of Wildfire Tragedy
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today reports that in several Southern California counties, hundreds of students, their families, and school staff have lost their homes as a result of the recent wildfires. Several counties also report more than a million dollars in damage to school facilities directly and indirectly from the wildfires.
"My heart goes out to all the victims of this terrible tragedy," said O'Connell. "This type of disaster can be particularly traumatic for children and families whose lives are turned upside down because of the devastating loss of their homes. We have heard from people as far away as Indiana who want to help, and we hope by talking about this tragedy, more people will want to help the victims of the wildfires."
Poway Unified School District in Rancho Bernardo and nearby communities in Poway and San Diego County were some of the hardest hit by the devastating firestorms. Of the district's 33,000 students, 20,000 were evacuated during the crisis. About 300 students and their families lost their homes, along with 30 school staff members. The district is currently coordinating donations. However, it is in urgent need of elementary school counselors to help students cope with losing their homes.
"Our school community was hit hard by the devastating wildfires," said Poway Unified Superintendent Don Phillips. "The trauma, images of fire, survival, and starting anew will require time. The process of grieving, coming to acceptance, and moving forward can happen much more quickly and successfully with the help of trained school counselors working with these students."
Also, in San Diego County, the Escondido High School in Escondido sustained heavy damage to its gymnasium floor indirectly as a result of the wildfires, rendering it unusable. The gym was used as one of the evacuation centers in some of the hardest hit areas in the firestorms.
Rim of the World Unified School District in Lake Arrowhead and nearby San Bernardino County mountain communities, lost 451 homes and 67 sustained damage. However, it is not known how many of these properties belonged to students, their families, and school staff. Rim of the World Unified was also hard hit in the 2003 firestorms. Although the fires in that community are 100 percent contained, school has yet to resume for the district's 5,338 students. Administrators will not know until school starts on November 13 how many students may have permanently or temporarily enrolled in another district that has already experienced declining enrollment over the past several years. This could potentially have a long-term financial impact on the district.
"The district and community have appreciated the courageous efforts and hard work of the USDA Forest Service, NorCAL, San Bernardino County sheriff and fire officials, and the California Highway Patrol. Additionally, State Superintendent O'Connell and County Superintendent Herb Fischer have provided assistance and resources to prepare us for our return to school," said Ron Peavy, Rim of the World superintendent. "Without this level of support, it would be much more difficult for Rim students and our entire mountain community to return to normalcy."
In Orange County, 15 homes were destroyed by wildfire. However, it is not known how many of these properties belonged to students, their families, or school staff. The Orange County Office of Education is working with school district officials to make this determination and assess damage to school property or lost outbuilding structures, if any. There were no reports of school-related deaths or injuries. All students and staff affected by the fires remained safe under the care of school officials and first responder agencies.
"Orange County schools and school districts worked together, coordinated efforts, shared information, and made decisions based on what was good for the students and what worked best for the whole," said Orange County Superintendent of Schools William M. Habermehl. "I am very pleased with the education community's actions during the crisis."
In Riverside County, K-12 schools in Beaumont Unified sustained more than $1million in damage from 75-mile-per-hour winds. More than 100,000 Riverside County students in eight school districts were not able to attend classes at the height of the disaster because of wind damage or poor air quality. Plus, high schools in Temecula and Murrieta were opened as evacuation centers for fire victims from nearby San Diego County. Mt. San Jacinto Community College also sustained more than $2.8 million in wind related damages.
"I am extremely proud of the response from the district superintendents, school board members and other school leaders in Riverside County to this disaster," said Kenneth M. Young, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools. "We had tremendous communication between schools and county, state, and federal agencies. We have a huge cleanup effort ahead of us, but we will face this challenge together."
The California Department of Education (CDE) is able to provide assistance and fiscal relief to schools, and food to homeless students and their families. Other state, federal, charitable agencies are able to find shelter and financial assistance for people left homeless because of the wildfires.
"I have directed all divisions within the California Department of Education to work quickly to bring fiscal relief and find solutions for all the schools affected by the wildfires," added O'Connell. "Some solutions will unfortunately take a long time, but there are other ways people from around the state and the nation can do to help victims of the wildfires."
Poway Unified has established a PUSD Fire Relief Fund and is working with the Palomar Council PTA to assist all staff, students, and families affected by the wildfires. Checks may be written to: PUSD Fire Relief Fund, and mailed to Poway Unified School District, Attention: Mary Jo Stollfuss, Accounting Department, 13626 Twin Peaks Road, Poway, CA 92064-3034. For information, please contact Cindy Hicks, Poway Unified School District Coordinator – Relief Efforts at 858-229-7344 or chicks@powayusd.com. For more information on Poway Unified and fire relief efforts, please visit Poway Unified School District [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/] (Outside Source), keywords "PUSD Fire Relief Fund."
The Rim Resource Network is coordinating assistance and donations for Rim of the World Unified. Many victims have immediate basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, school supplies, and funds for rental housing deposits, utilities, transportation, and living expenses. Others will need funds to help overcome the loss of wages due to a lengthy evacuation. As the long-term recovery begins, donations will be needed for rebuilding including non-cash donations of materials, volunteer labor, and construction funding. Donations may be made to: Rebuilding Mountain Hearts & Lives, P.O. Box 4644, Blue Jay, CA 92317-0935. For more information on Rim Resource Network, please visit Rim Resource Network [http://rimresourcenetwork.org/default.aspx] (Outside Source).
The public may also donate to a specific disaster relief effort through the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 for Spanish speakers. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to any American Red Cross chapter or to the main office at American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting American Red Cross [http://www.redcross.org] (Outside Source).
O'Connell also is offering information for students and educators directly affected by the wildfires to cope with the tragedy, and information for educators to help their students learn from tragedies and turn them into teachable moments. For that information, please visit the CDE Web site at Southern California Wildfires 2007 - Hot Topics, keywords "Assistance for Parents and Students.
