theme of Cottonwood Library dedication

The way Hemet Unified School District Superintendent Philip K. Pendley sees it, some schools get exactly what they deserve.

That was the case on the morning of March 4 when dignitaries from the district, faculty, parents and students gathered at Aguanga’s Cottonwood School to formally dedicate its new 5,760 square foot library. The facility, more than just a repository for books, features a state-of-the art computer lab, classrooms, offices and a place to meet.

“This library represents what you deserve,” Pendley told an enthusiastic, standing-room only crowd. “Here at Cottonwood you have created a community of learning that comes from the dedication of the administration, the faculty and staff, the students and their parents.”

Cottonwood principal Dave Farkas echoed Pendley’s sentiments, thanking everyone in attendance for their efforts.

“This new library represents two things about us here at Cottonwood,” he said. “Our pride in what we do and our desire to continually raise the bar. We will continually raise the bar,” he said emphatically.

The bar is at an all-time high at Cottonwood. The school was recently given the 2010 Title I Academic Achievement Award, recognizing double-digit improvement in test scores year over year. In addition, Cottonwood is in line to receive recognition as a California Distinguished School, an award given to honor the state’s most exemplary and inspiring public schools, according to the Department of Education’s web site. About five percent of the state’s schools qualify for the award.

For Hemet School District Board Member Phyllis Petri, the library represents a long-time dream come true.

“I remember when my kids went to Cottonwood the library was a small bus that read ‘Book Mobile’ on its side,” she recounted to the crowd. “Now it gives me great pleasure to see this wonderful building and know that my grandchildren will be able to use it.”

Farkas described the ways in which the library is already being used. Among those activities is the Reading Club, a daily before school, half-hour long get-together where interested pupils meet to read and get tutoring from older student mentors. The library also provides a central location for the Accelerated Readers Program and for the school’s staff development meetings. The computer lab has been fully operational for some time and is already getting daily use, according to Farkas.

The library dedication was the centerpiece of Cottonwood’s weeklong celebration commensurate with the nation’s “Read Across America” program. It included a comic skit performed by the elementary school’s drama club and an impressive parade of fifty book-themed “floats” created by students.

That same evening Cottonwood held its “Family Reading Night” in the school’s cafeteria. A full house of parents and students, most wearing pajamas, sat on blankets and listened to stories read by costumed members of the Cottonwood team. To start the proceedings, Farkas delivered the appropriately-titled “A Fine, Fine School.”  He was followed by enthusiastic, in-character readings by teachers Rebecca Packard, Hillary Willhite and Dawn Collins.

The day’s events were best summed up by parent Aggie McGowan, who has had six children attend Cottonwood.