Photo By Tech. Sgt. James Hodgman | Severe winds and rain damaged a large portion of the roof above Travis Elementary...... read more read more
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TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Laughter fills the air as hundreds of children run, jump and dance outside Travis Elementary School at Travis Air Force Base, California., Feb. 27.
Many students participate in a relay race, some perform their best moves to “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars while others play a variety of games during recess. Smiles can be seen almost everywhere.
This enjoyment is possible because of the teachers and staff of TES who keep a watchful eye on children throughout the day, as well as Travis Airmen, who volunteer in 90-minute blocks to help supervise children during recess and lunch.
On Jan. 18 high winds severely damaged the roof to the school’s multi-purpose room. A patch was placed on the roof but unfortunately, it was not water tight and the roof has several leaks. The room was used for a variety of activities including breakfast and lunch service, award assemblies, meetings and physical education classes.
The rains and subsequent storms that followed have made the room unusable, said Deanna Yasaki, TES principal.
“Not being able to use the facility has had a major impact on parents, students, teachers and our staff,” said Yasaki. “The MPR in many ways is the hub of our school. We do so much in that room from morning drop offs to the 6th grade olympics.”
Now, breakfast and lunch are served in classrooms. Meals are prepared at Scandia Elementary School, also located on Travis and transported to TES daily, because the school’s kitchen is located in the multipurpose room and needs a thorough cleaning before it can be used again. Drop-off and pick-up locations and procedures have also been changed.
The school is also in need of volunteers to help supervise students during recess and lunch. A call for volunteers went out to the base populous on Jan. 26 seeking 80 volunteers for two weeks.
“The request went out on a Thursday and by the following Monday I had the first week filled,” said Christian Mendoza, 60th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer. “I had the second week filled by Wednesday that week.”
Mendoza manages the volunteer effort at TES and said nearly 70 Airmen have answered the call to help, many volunteering multiple times.
“It’s been great to see the response Travis Airmen are having,” Mendoza said. “I enjoy seeing them interact with the kids. They organize basketball and football games, share what they do with the children and their having a positive impact on so many.”
One of those volunteers is Airman 1st Class Frederick Cabling, 60th Aerial Port Squadron traffic management office.
“Before joining the military I worked in the YMCA in the childcare facility, so, this opportunity is kind of a fun way for me to rekindle that,” said Cabling. “I enjoy working with children. This is a way for me to help with everything that’s going on right now, help military families and our community.”
Senior Airman Bradley Chase, 60th Aerial Port Squadron cargo processer, has volunteered at the school multiple times.
“I came back to volunteer because I had so much fun the first time,” said Chase. “It made me think back to when I was a kid and I enjoy seeing all the kids having fun.”
Helping his community is also important, he said.
“Knowing I’m helping the base, the school and our community by ensuring my fellow military members’ children are safe is a really good thing,” he said. “I’m here to help.”
Sixty-seven Airmen have answered the call to help at TES since the MPR room was damaged.
The Airmen have helped ensure a safe environment for 509 students, 92 percent of which are military families, said Kelly Hatcher, Travis Unified School District director of maintenance and operations.
“It’s always nice to have support and we appreciate everyone for stepping in to help,” said Hatcher. “Thanks to the Airmen, TES is able to have recess outside rather than indoors. We also have to give kudos to our teachers, students, staff members and parents for working together to make this not so good situation bearable for all.”
Hatcher and TUSD superintendent, Pam Conklin, have been working on a plan to replace the roof in the MPR in an effort to return TES to normal operations.
“A new roof will cost approximately $164,069 including Title 24 compliant coating and gutter replacement,” said Hatcher. “We are in the process of getting supplies to replace the roof and working with a contractor to clean and sanitize the MPR and the kitchen. The cost of cleaning is currently about $67,000.”
Right now, it looks like the roof won’t be replaced until the summer of 2017, said Yasaki.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2017 17:51 |
| Story ID: | 227892 |
| Location: | TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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