Woodland Hills : Donation Cools Off Students and Staffers

Woodlake Avenue Elementary School students and staffers say they are staying cooler these days now that last week’s heat wave is over, and because of a donation of 20 water dispensers for their classrooms.

The dispensers came courtesy of Ralphs supermarket and the Fallbrook Mall, which split the cost of the dispensers and 100 five-gallon containers of bottled water, school officials said. Some of the water was delivered to the school Thursday.

The heat wave put a strain on the 600 students and staff members of the school, which was built in the 1950s and doesn’t have air conditioning in many rooms, said Cory Jacoby, co-president of the school’s parent teacher organization.

“Students and teachers were complaining of stomachaches, bloody noses, and their faces were flushed,” Jacoby said. “It wasn’t an environment conducive to learning.”

There are water fountains around the school, but the water sometimes comes out warm and is not of high quality, school officials said.

The PTA has been trying for three years to raise money to purchase air conditioning, Jacoby said. They still need to raise at least $25,000, she said.

The PTA and educators appreciate the donation of water, she said.

“They feel the community is finally getting together to support their teaching efforts,” she said.