Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Receives Plant Donations for Beautification Efforts

To celebrate 75 years of educational service to the community, Woodrow Wilson Elementary School recently got a facelift. For just under a month, Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) grounds maintenance workers, Wilson Elementary School staff and Serrano Nursery employees worked together to revive the campus just in time for the school to open its grounds for the 75th year this coming August during the 2013–2014 school year. Approximately 70 plants including pygmy palms, Queen Palms, roses, hibiscus and agapanthus flowers were planted on the grounds in the front and back sides of campus—flora donated to the school by Serrano Nursery. The beautification efforts began approximately one month ago as CJUSD grounds maintenance worker Ray Enriquez, who has worked in that position for 24 years, spoke with Wilson Elementary principal Ernesto Calles about an idea he had to spruce up the school’s appearance as its anniversary neared. “He said, ‘I think it’d be really nice to be able to do something like this for the school. Do you think you’d be able to get some funds gathered for beautification?’” said Calles. “I said we would love to, and we did. We were able to get $250 in a donations account.” Enriquez then went to Serrano Nursery to purchase plants for the beautification efforts, and Serrano Nursery—known for its donations to Colton schools—matched the $250 with donations of their own, said Calles. “Actually, they exceeded that,” said Calles, who estimated that altogether $750 in plants and other beautification necessities were donated. Four grounds maintenance workers—Enriquez, Robert Delgado, Kenny Matcham and Mike Ramirez—worked on the project for approximately three weeks, pulling up old existing shrubbery before transferring new plants. “We took out bushes that have probably been there for 40 years,” said Enriquez. “There’s been a big improvement to the school.” In addition to the new plants, trees were also trimmed and grass was cut back at the front entrance, where maintenance workers would like to place red bark and planted two pygmy palms. “We modified the front entrance just to change it up a bit,” said Matcham, who has worked as a maintenance worker for nine years. The final eight Queen Palms were planted this past Monday, July 22, completing the project, shared Calles. Maintenance worker Robert Delgado has worked with the district for 19 years, and like his three fellow partners, he is a product of the CJUSD. He attended Alberta Grant Elementary and has parents and grandparents who are Wilson Elementary alumni. “I think [the school] looks a lot different. It makes the school stand out a little bit more,” he said. “I think [the public] is going to like it,” said Ramirez, who has worked with the district for six years. “The school and its grounds were a little older, and the final product looks really good. It’s been modernized.” When the flowers bloom, the school will be draped in shades of white, red, orange, yellow and purple, workers shared. Retired CJUSD groundsman Gerald Guitan shared his appreciation of the efforts. “I think what they did is great for the kids, so they can come back to a real nice campus,” he said Monday. Wilson Elementary School on Friday, Aug. 2, will celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary. The school opened in 1938, serving grades 6 through 8 under the principal leadership of Fred Heisner. During the 1938 through 1939 school year, students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade attended the old Garfield School, which once stood in the present playground area which faces 7th Street. This school was torn down in 1953, and the older students then attended the new Colton Jr. High School. Wilson School then became a kindergarten through 6th grade school. Principal Calles, who has served in that position for the last four years, believes the beautification efforts will foster a sense of honor in the students. “I definitely think it will have a positive impact on the students. There is a significant difference between before and after [the project], and it’s going to give students a sense of pride. They’re going to see a beautiful school,” he said. The 75th anniversary celebration will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Wilson Elementary School, 750 South 8th St. in Colton. RSVP to 909-580-5015.