Calderwood Elementary provides alternative education experiences for students in the Pendergast Elementary School District in the West Valley of Phoenix. The alternative program has grown from 10 students in 2004 to about 75 students who are housed in portable facilities at 10730 W. Campbell (site of Copper King Elementary).
Calderwood is home for students who have difficulty learning and thriving in the traditional school environment. Pendergast, which serves 10,000 K-8 students in Phoenix, Avondale and Glendale, has lacked funding to make improvements and upgrades at Calderwood.
For 48 hours, during the weekend of March 12th through the 14th, we participated in the Calderwood Elementary School Makeover Project. This “extreme makeover” project was conducted by nearly 200 community volunteers.
Organized as a community outreach program by PSI Seminars of Phoenix, volunteers painted and carpeted the five portable classroom and office buildings on the campus; created two new garden spaces; donated technology equipment for classrooms; and purchased library books and physical education equipment. Dave Sloan of Affinity Technology estimated that nearly $200,000 worth of labor, donated equipment and discounted materials went into the makeover.
“The work team included professionals, school staff, church groups and others who gave time, tools and materials for the project. The labor included stripping old carpet and laying new carpet; patching holes; removing and returning all furniture; installing cabinets; painting; construction of new offices – everything you can image that goes into a makeover event,” said volunteer General Contractor Paul Carlson.
We were so honored to have the opportunity to help in such an amazing project!
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