Beautifying an aging school

It takes a community

By SANDY LONG

ELDRED, NY — Beauty matters to Kim Lust of Lumberland and Nanette Schips of Barryville, mothers of children who attend Eldred Central High School.

Schips was heading up the Beautification Committee at the Mackenzie Elementary School and Lust was working on Lumberland’s Circle Park, a Sullivan County Renaissance Project, when the women first met.

“We both care very much about making our district a more beautiful place for kids to learn and play,” said Lust. “We decided to join forces at the high school, which was, and still is, in need of repairs and renovations.”

Studies have shown that student attitudes are shaped by their surroundings, and that students and faculty housed in renovated schools show more positive attitudes and make better academic progress.

For these reasons, the women formed a Beautification Committee to begin addressing the long list of renovation projects facing the 65-year-old high school.

The ambitious group of volunteers, comprised of parents, teachers and students, has completed many projects both inside and outside the school. In the process, they have received a “Spruce up your school” grant for $125 as well as a Category A Grant of $1,000 from Sullivan Renaissance. They’ve installed courtyards at the front and side entrances to the building, including landscaping and benches, and painted the surrounding fence.

Inside the building, the committee has cleaned and painted lockers and woodworking and renovated stair railings. They plan to eventually paint and refurbish all bathrooms and locker rooms, which Lust describes as being in “appalling condition.”

“We would like to renovate the teachers lounge and create a ‘wish list’ for the faculty so we can help them get the materials needed to teach our kids,” Lust said.

Recently, the group received news that they are the lucky recipients of a Lowes Heroes Grant from the home improvement store in Matamoras, PA. The store will supply materials and volunteers for a day to spruce up the school’s lower softball field.

According to Lust, parent Larry Fishman has donated funds and the services of an architect to refurbish the track and football field. Meanwhile, the group is seeking other grant funding through NIKE that utilizes ground-up tennis shoes to refurbish school tracks.

Josh Glantz, who teaches high school social studies and English, volunteers regularly for the projects providing physical labor. He believes that the improvements set a positive tone for the students. “It really is important for the kids,” Glantz said. “And it’s nice to see the parents and kids working together and getting involved.”

Some have questioned the need for the committee, under the belief that tax money covers such expenses. In explanation, Lust said, “PTSOs are forming these committees in most school districts not only to help the school district and our children, but also to save the taxpayer money.”

The committee actively pursues federal and state grants and private funding opportunities. As state and federal funding for public schools continues to diminish, the role of volunteers becomes more important.

“Every year our district passes a budget that only covers the operational costs to run the school. We have not put any extra in the budget for repairs, renovations or expansion in fear that the budget would be voted down. If we want to keep our taxes down and want a good school district, we must get involved through volunteer work. Not getting involved only hurts the kids,” Lust said.

As part of ongoing efforts to raise money for the projects, the group has scheduled a Giant Flea Market and Community Day at the high school on Saturday, August 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Activities will include a faculty dunking booth, NACL stilt walkers, face painting, a silent auction, games, food, entertainment and prizes. Volunteers are needed and donations are sought for the flea market. Tables are also available for rent for $20.

Other fundraising events, such as Bingo nights and selling alumni paving bricks for future courtyards, are being planned.

For more information call Lust at 845/856-7398.