Pomo Elementary School celebrated the completion of its new multi-media library and improvements to its multipurpose room on Thursday April 17. The celebration welcomed parents and students, who had the opportunity to view first hand all the educational benefits the improvements will bring to the campus.
Site staff was joined by district representatives in welcoming the community to the event. Lake County Poet Laureate Mary McMillian was also in attendance and shared a poem she had authored with the group.
“We are so excited. This is the sixth new library in Konocti Unified,” said district superintendent Dr. Louise Nan to open the ceremony. “It is a privilege to be presenting this gift to the community.”
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony that took place on a red carpet outside the library, guests were invited into the facility to view the new amenities. The library hosts relaxed reading areas for small children and one for older students. It has a state-of-the-art computer lab with a large viewing screen located at the front of the lab that connects with all the computers.
The library”s most impressive new addition is its teleconferencing abilities. The district”s technology director, Michael Schenck, attended the celebration via the new technology. From the video screen, Schenck briefly explained some of the system”s capabilities. He said students can join in any conversation or presentation at any other facility around the world that has a similar teleconferencing system. The district has already used the technology in bring students presentations by Monty Roberts and more.
Several representatives of the district expressed their appreciation to various people and departments involved in the expansions at Pomo. Former Pomo teacher of 12 years and current school board member Carolynn Jarrett, also known as “Ms. School Bond,” served as a special guest speaker during the event.
“Thinking back, this is not the first time Pomo students and staff have had to try and focus on the educational tasks at hand while being serenaded by jack hammers and bull dozers. Pomo started as just three permanent buildings surrounded by portables, rocks and sand,” Jarrett said. “But over time, here in the middle of what is locally called the Gobi Desert, April (Lieferman) and Pam (Smith), the teachers and the support staff of Pomo school, have created an oasis in the desert ? an oasis dedicated to being a place where children can learn and grow.
“In the real world, along with our dedication and commitment, it often takes dollars to make our visions and dreams come true.” Jarrett continued, “In 2004, parents, community members and employee volunteers worked with great diligence to pass Measure G. All across the district we are seeing those dollars at work transforming our schools. We are very grateful to the voters of the Konocti school district. On behalf of all Konocti students and staff, once again, thank you voters.”
Lake County Poet Laureate Mary McMillan addressed the crowd in the library as well. “I”m here because I love poetry,” she said, adding that poetry speaks to our souls. “And this is a place where stories and poems will come alive for children.”
McMillan concluded her speech with a poem she wrote called “Daffodil.” She dedicated it to “the spirits of all the people who made this possible and all the children who are going to use it.”
Following the presentations in the library, the crowd moved to the improved multipurpose room where Principal April Lieferman presented several awards to students who achieved high scores on their STAR testing. Several students received multiple awards, which were in the form of medals, including Mike Ray, who was recognized for a perfect score of 600 on his STAR test.
The event concluded with a musical presentation by students who are learning to play the guitar thanks to a grant sought for and received by Pomo teachers Ed Zander and Eric Schaffer. The students were joined by their parent-volunteer music teacher Allan Markowski.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
