Appreciation from Book Cliff Elem.

By J.R. Jones
Principal

On behalf of Book Cliff Elementary, I would like to express heartfelt thanks for the help and support our school has received since the 2016 break-in. As school personnel arrived on the morning of Dec. 16, 2016 we found our school had become a target of vandalism and theft. Not only had the perpetrators ransacked the office, but they had also taken many items from the school including computers, iPads, personal property, and the district car our teachers use for meetings and trainings.
Not only were teachers unable to enter their own classrooms and were told to remain in the main hallway, but students were restricted from entering the building at all. School was canceled in order for the Sheriff’s Office to search, clear, and investigate the crime scene, and parents were notified to take their student(s) home.
This senseless crime came just after our school had been identified by the Utah State Board of Education as a “Turnaround School,” which we were in the process of making great strides to correct. Not only did this crime have an effect on our faculty and staff, but students were afraid to return to school.
With the help and support of many, our students have overcome these hurdles and have not only demonstrated great pride for their school, but they are also on the verge of improving scores that will help Book Cliff escape our Turnaround status. The community rallied and held a benefit dinner to raise money for our school to help replace items that were taken. I am happy to say the money has been put toward the purchase of a new billboard that shows the pride in our renewed school with new colors and a new outlook. We were also able to purchase science and math manipulatives for the teachers, update the equipment for the gym, and host our championship party that was a promised reward for SAGE score improvement.
Teachers stepped up to the plate, parents showed support, the community backed us, and the students demonstrated what they were capable of in the midst of so many negatives our school faced this year.
I would like to express a special thanks to the Green River High School Student Council and cheerleaders for their on-going support throughout the year. You all went above and beyond what you had to do, and the students loved it. Thanks must also go to Emery County School District personnel who made many trips and have been extremely supportive of our school throughout the year; the Emery County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and efforts toward solving the case and returning a large portion of the items that were taken; and for P&D Ace Hardware and Melon Vine for the benefit dinner. Others who helped support us through this crisis were: S&S, Gas-N-Go, the PTA, Grand County Credit Union, Tavaputs, Coke, Pepsi, Walker Family, Ameri-Gas, IFA, Frito Lay, Packard Wholesale, Hatt’s Ranch, The River Terrace, Emery Telcom, and the many individuals affiliated with these businesses.