Supporting School Districts Impacted by Fires in Northern California

Cold Spring School District is committed to giving back to the community. Having experienced tragic loss and property damage due to natural disasters in 2018, Cold Spring understands the importance of supporting the community in times of need. Losing both a home and school is a catastrophic event that can severely affect the lives of all members of the community. Schools are more than classrooms; they are community centers where generations grow. Unfortunately, many schools in Northern California school districts were shut down due to fires and evacuations or were without power and closed due to the fear of additional fires.

Cold Spring’s vision is to ensure every child gets every opportunity to be successful, and that vision extends beyond our district and throughout California. This year, Cold Spring is contributing to fire relief in Northern California for families and districts that have been impacted by wildfires. The Small School Districts’ Association, the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, and the Sacramento County Office of Education have joined efforts to create a statewide campaign designed to provide immediate relief to families devastated by the fires in Northern California. 

Through the California Kids Fire Relief Campaign, schools across California are adopting a school in need and donating Visa gift cards and student-generated inspirational notes of hope for families and children who are experiencing hardship with the loss of their schools and homes during this time. Cold Spring Parent Club President Zoe Copus is supporting the facilitation of the donations.

Cold Spring School District sent donations totaling $1,135 and notes of hope to Pioneer Union School District, which unfortunately lost their school and several homes to wildfire. Cold Spring students, filled with compassion, dedicated their morning recess time to crafting notes of encouragement in the Gazebo.  Pioneer Union School District and superintendent were beyond grateful for the thoughtfulness.

“Cold Spring School District recognizes the opportunity to send support to school districts at this time. As we as a district have also experienced tragic loss, we know that any kind of help makes a difference to those who have lost so much. Our students and Parent Club have done an amazing job creating uplifting notes and donating to the cause. Our district hopes to fill another box of inspiration to assist another school in need,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District.

To learn more, visit the Small School Districts’ Association website at https://www.ssda.org/o/ssda, and watch the Cold Spring School District informational video at https://youtu.be/N7wpD8LLVbQ

“As a district we understand how critical community support is in being able to provide a safe and stable environment immediately following a natural disaster,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. “We understand the district’s ability to provide resources to other schools in need, and we are proud of our students and parents who were also willing to reach out and help students in Northern California.”

Many families and schools affected by the wildfires in Northern California are still in need of assistance. Over 46,000 people are currently evacuated from their homes and many students are displaced from their school while first responders work to control fires in over nine counties. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the community support of Cold Spring and The California Kids Fire Relief Campaign can help families recover. Together, we can ensure every student has every opportunity to be successful!