February 7, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School, Letters & Communications With Media, Williams School In The News
photo by Daily Courier
Supporters of Williams School turned out in large numbers at the Rightsizing Committee meeting on Tuesday night. The room was a sea of tan t-shirts emblazoned with a picture of Williams School and the words “Save Williams School.” We praise the members of the committee specifically for taking Williams School off the “chopping block” as we had originally been singled out as a school needing over $1 million in repairs. Turns out all the schools need substantial upgrades, though the numbers offered by the Three Rivers School District budget manager are being hotly contested. This is no time to rest, though, as the heat has been temporarily turned down but not off. The RSC created a list of priorities to submit to the Board. Sitting at #6 of 16 items is the recommendation to identify a school to close for the 2009-10 school year. I will post the full list when I get it. Essentially, the schools have a year to create budget-reducing plans. I hope this does not develop into a three-way battle between Williams, Applegate and Wolf Creek. All schools in the district should be doing the same strategic planning. The tremendous outpouring of energy from the Williams community was responsible for this reprieve, not only for Williams but Applegate and Wolf Creek as well.
We were on the morning news on Wednesday
We have a photo album on the Courier website. Click HERE
There is also a video of yesterday’s Bell Ringing Rally/Fundraiser. Click HERE
We also appeared on KOBI Channel 5 yesterday at 5, 6, 10 and 11 PM and on the morning news today.
Now we must begin the task of organizing for the next phase, that of creating a solid strategic plan and approaching the TRSD board and employees in creating an open dialogue to reach our stated goals. It seems only natural that if we are tasked with taking on some responsibility for our schools, we need a transparent structure to interface with the necessary people.
February 6, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School
Our friends at the video store have organized a benefit rock concert for Williams School. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SAVING WILLIAMS SCHOOL. Very generous. There will be three bands including Chain Link and Machine.
Chain Link Productions presents
Save Williams School Benefit Rock Concert.
Saturday, March 1, 7 to 11 PM
Provolt Community Center
Adults-$7
12 & Under-FREE
This is a family event. Please support our community-wide effort to save our school.
February 6, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School, Letters & Communications With Media, Williams School In The News
It was worth the wait. This morning’s rally at Williams School saw a respectable turn out, a real cross section of the people of Williams. Many people came out to ring our old bell. Every student also got to ring it. We also collected donations that will be put toward printing costs for the Save Williams School campaign. We stressed that we are willing to work with the Three Rivers School District and the Rightsizing Committee to solve the budget crisis and keeping Williams School open. We received coverage from the Grants Pass Daily Courier, from both a reporter and a videographer. So we can expect to see an article in the paper and a video on their website. I will link to it when it is posted. Also, KOBI TV Channel 5 came out to cover the event. It will air at the following times:
Tonight Wed Feb 6
Channel 5 at 5 PM-this is a shorter version of the 6 PM edition.
Channel 5 at 6 PM-this is a longer version of the story.
Channel 13 Fox News at 10 PM.
Channel 5 at 11 PM
Tomorrow Thurs Feb 7
Channel 5 between 5:30 and 7 AM-It will appear sometime during the morning news show.
February 6, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School, Williams School In The News
Hey early birds,
If you read this before about 7:45 AM, hurry on down to Williams School to rally and ring the bell. KOBI tv will be there. Williams was out in force at last night’s rightsizing committee meeting, a sea of tan shirts
with SAVE WILLIAMS SCHOOL on front. There are people within the district and on the RSC who are receptive to our efforts. There are others who seem more interested in cool, calculated math. Let’s give them more
of that too. This morning, let’s show the entire Rogue Valley that we are meeting the district more than half way to “Get ‘er done!”
February 4, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School, Williams School In The News
SAVE WILLIAMS SCHOOL BELL RINGING RALLY WITH A VISIT FROM KOBI TV
Details:
Who: Us
What: Save Williams School Bell Ringing Rally
When: Wed, Feb 6, 7:30 AM Sharp, be on time for the kids.
Where: Williams School
Why: Because we want that little old schoolhouse to stick around, so we thought we’d show some support
How: One step at a time
We will also pass a hat for donations that will go toward the fund set up by Williams News
Schedule:
7:30 AM-hang out with volunteer firefighters and many others, take a look at the firetruck and meet someone new
7:45 AM-A brief cheer for the old alma mater, WS
7:50 AM-line up for the bell ringing
7:55 AM-Anyone who wants to ring the bell can take a turn.
Our school is in danger of being closed. Among the many good reasons why our school should remain open figures our old school bell up in the belfry. One of the last around. That’s right, you can tell your friends,
“Dude, our town’s got a belfry.” To demonstrate to anyone willing to listen to our cause, we are rallying around the bell and ringing it non-stop until everyone who wants has had a chance to ring it. And our cause:
1) Historically significant occupied school and bell. School has existed since 1859. Eighty Five years at present location.
2) Dedicated paid and volunteer staff and community
3) Very Positive cash flow generating school
4) Growing attendance, 90 enrolled, 29 new babies in Williams in 2007 alone
5) Generally sound infrastructure, but needs TLC
Let’s show the school board and rightsizing committee that we are committed to helping them find solutions that keep Williams School open.
IF IT RAINS, THE RALLY GOES ON. IT’S ONLY A SHORT TIME SO BRING AN UMBRELLA. BRING AN EASY UP IF YOU HAVE ONE.
January 27, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School, Letters & Communications With Media, Williams School In The News
SAVE WILLIAMS SCHOOL BELL RINGING RALLY WITH A VISIT FROM KOBI TV
Details:
Who: Us
What: Save Williams School Bell Ringing Rally
When: 7:30 AM Sharp, be on time for the kids.
Where: Williams School
Why: Because we want that little old schoolhouse to stick around, so we thought we’d show some support
How: One step at a time
We will also pass a hat for donations that will go toward the fund set up by Williams News
Schedule:
7:30 AM-hang out with volunteer firefighters and many others, take a look at the firetruck and meet someone new
7:45 AM-A brief cheer for the old alma mater, WS
7:50 AM-line up for the bell ringing
7:55 AM-Anyone who wants to ring the bell can take a turn.
Our school is in danger of being closed. Among the many good reasons why our school should remain open figures our old school bell up in the belfry. One of the last around. That’s right, you can tell your friends,
“Dude, our town’s got a belfry.” To demonstrate to anyone willing to listen to our cause, we are rallying around the bell and ringing it non-stop until everyone who wants has had a chance to ring it. And our cause:
1) Historically significant occupied school and bell. School has existed since 1859. Eighty Five years at present location.
2) Dedicated paid and volunteer staff and community
3) Very Positive cash flow generating school
4) Growing attendance, 90 enrolled, 29 new babies in Williams in 2007 alone
5) Generally sound infrastructure, but needs TLC
IF IT RAINS, THE RALLY GOES ON. IT’S ONLY A SHORT TIME SO BRING AN UMBRELLA. BRING AN EASY UP IF YOU HAVE ONE.
January 24, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School, Letters & Communications With Media
A reporter from KOBI Channel 5 will be coming to Williams School on Wednesday, January 30 to do a piece on the closure crisis. I spoke with her and she will be there for the bell ringing at 7:55 AM. We are organizing a mini-fundraiser bell ringing to take place at that time. It is likely at this point that we will have a couple of Williams firefighters in uniform and possibly a fire truck there too. We are asking anyone who can make it out for a short time to come and show their support. If you would like, please come in your work uniform/clothing or the garb you wear in your pasttimes/hobbies. Playing off the firefighters in the uniform theme we thought it would be great to show the world visually what a diverse community we have. We are professionals, tradespeople, self-employed entrepreneurs, athletes, bicyclists, etc, etc. You get the idea. Or just show up in your regular clothes. BUT BE THERE.
We picture the event to go something like this:
1) Everyone shows up by 7:30 AM at the latest.
2) 7:40 AM. The fire truck(s) sound their siren(s) with people crowded all around it. Then we all chant “Save Williams School, Save Williams School” a few times and cheer.
3) 7:50 AM People who wish to make a donation of any size then line up to ring the bell. At 7:55 AM We begin ringing the bell until everyone who wants to has done it. First we form a line, then put our donation in a bucket (I’ll see if one of the classes can decorate one) then step forward to pull the string that rings the bell.
4) Afterwards, we stick around for interviews if the reporter wants to do any.
In the event of rain, the event should still continue. Come out with your umbrellas. The only change will be that I will bring a 10′ x10′ easy up tent for the reporter to stand under in front of the school. If anyone else has an easy up tent maybe you could bring it in case we need it.
January 24, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School
Many people have been asking about “Save Williams School” t-shirts. They will be available at the school office on Monday, Jan 28, sizes adult S, M, L, XL, or 2XL, sold at our cost of $7.25 for sizes S-XL, cost of $8.25 for 2XL. The fabric is natural cotton, pigment dyed, color “sandstone”. There is a print on the front of artist’s rendition of the school with the wording in screen printed, reddish-brown ink. These are being done by Ken Northrup, parent and owner of “Exhibitron” shirts. Purpose of the t-shirt is to have a visible way to show where we are from and our message. We hope to have many people wearing them to our upcoming district meetings. If you would like a shirt, reserve one in your size by calling the school at 846-7224, or come by the school next week.
Reminder: Meeting of “Right Sizing Committee” is next Wednesday, January 30th, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the District Office in Murphy.
January 24, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School
Maybe you would be interested in donating your kicker to Williams School. Take a look at the Oregon Department of Education worksheet to see how to do it. Click here.
January 23, 2008
· Filed under Fundraising For Williams School
When is the last time you got to ring an old school bell? Probably never. School bells are mostly a relic of the past, but Williams Elementary School has one. And they ring it every day at 7:55 AM and 2:10 PM. How would you like to show support for the school by making a small donation (perhaps $10 or $20) and ringing the bell? I was thinking the money could be used to reimburse peoples’ printing costs or to purchase an ad in the paper, or buy lightbulbs, whatever…
So, let’s do it for two weeks starting Monday, January 28 at 7:55 AM sharp. That will be twenty opportunities to ring the Williams School bell. Please be there a few minutes early.
Week of Mon, Jan 28 thru Fri, Feb 1
Week of Mon, Feb 4 thru Fri, Feb 8
The bell rings at 7:55 AM and 2:10 PM sharp. Don’t be late.
If more people sign up, we can simply extend the campaign.
Call Scott at 846-6407 or email at scottwilson@budget.net to sign up. Please leave at least one alternate day/time that you would like to ring the bell.
