Perspective...

Here's a pretty cool view of what's happened at Clark Fork School since about June 11 - not even four month's ago...

One Month's Time!

It has been a pretty exciting month around the new building site. In about four-week’s time, the site went from a flat slab foundation to a great structure that’s close to being dried in! You probably noticed that the walls and roof arrived in pre-fabricated panels – called SIPs – Structural Insulated Panels. These panels are highly energy efficient and pretty resource efficient compared to “stick-framed” buildings. They really went together pretty quickly too once they arrived. So, now the building is being roofed, windows and doors should arrive this week and siding has begun.

On the interior, wiring is almost completed and the HVAC system is beginning to be installed. The big rectangular parapet in the center of the building will house the roof-mounted heating, cooling and air exchange system. This system will be really energy efficient and filter and circulate fresh, clean air into the building. Studies have shown that well ventilated classrooms significantly improve children’s abilities to learn well. We will also be using low-VOC paints and as many healthy finish products as possible to keep off-gassing to a minimum in the building. If you haven’t taken a peak at the cool tree that was added into the front entry, peak your head in! It came from a sustainable forester in town – and was stored on near the parking lot for almost a year. Thanks to Jake Terzo and Ice Rogers for their work to help it transform into what will be a magical centerpiece for the school.

There are still many opportunities to participate in the finish selections for the building. Anyone with talent, resources or just plain interest in participating should contact Erin Yonce, Mark Wilson, or Janet Harrison. We would love to have some more special elements added to the building that make the space unique and special to our kids and the members of the community. Art and natural elements that are inspiring and fun are encouraged – bring us your ideas!

I also want to really thank all of our families for being so accommodating of the construction – we know it can be a bit of a hassle, but the end result will be worth it – and I think the kids have enjoyed watching the progress! Stay tuned for another fun month of progress – it’s an exciting time to be at Clark Fork School.

Clark Fork Rising

The walls are going up! Check back over the next week for pictures of the big changes.

We had a great turnout at last Saturday's work party--and lots of work got done. Thanks to everyone who showed up (don't forget to keep track of your parent hours). The construction and sewer projects, however, have given us a bigger challenge than usual so we are going to have at least two more work parties before the first day of school.

The next is scheduled for this Sunday morning, August 26th. We'll be there from 8 to Noon, and you are welcome for just an hour, the whole time, or whatever fits your schedule. Bring gloves, garden tools, a cordless drill, baked goods... and we'll be prepared for whatever the joblist fairy leaves for us.

Call or e-mail me, Mark Wilson, if you have questions about the work party: 721-5015/mark@grubshed.net

Work Parties Past and Future

Mark Wilson-father of Nat-adding another voice to the blog. As we get ready for the next work party this Saturday, I thought I would share some of the fun from our last community work day.

On August 8th, the concrete floor of the expansion was poured and an enthusiastic parent/student/teacher work force let loose their creative juices. We embedded hundreds of pounds of glass, rock and metals just below the concrete surface that will be revealed as the the top 1/8th inch of concrete is ground away.

Here is a glimpse at the process:

The top photo shows the concrete pros spreading the "mud" before we started our work. Here, Connor King-Ries and mother Kristin broadcast multi-colored glass beads into the Kindergarten cubby area.

Kindergarten teacher Vicky, her daughter Ashley, and others work on a decorative border for the kindergarten. Our new director, Linda Symonds, had a turn at broadcasting glass, too.

After we finished small areas, the concrete guys "floated" the decorations just below the surface; it was rather worrisome to watch our efforts disappear into the hardening floor, but we were assured that we would see them again.

What room has the Sun, the Moon, and scorpions? Where is the Compass Rose? How many animals inhabit the expansion? Come to our Party on the Slab Tuesday, August 21st at 6:00 p.m. for the grand unveiling. We don't have walls yet, but Clark Fork School spirit is set in concrete.

I hope to see many of you Saturday the 18th starting at 9:30 for our next work party! We'll start preparing the school yard for the arrival of the preschoolers in less than 3 weeks, so wear your grubbies and bring gloves and water bottles. Kids, of course, are welcome-as are people who would like to wrangle the kids rather than toil in the earth. If you can't make it, we'll be having a couple more work days before school starts... the construction and sewer connection have provided us with plenty of opportunity to start racking up those parent hours.

Beehive of activity.

Great week so far - a lot happening inside and out. Sidewalks getting poured, concrete getting ground and polished, landscaping and parking lot shaping up... Not to mention cleaning, re-ordering and planning for the new classrooms and some great organizing being done in the basement work area. Thanks to Craig Shannon for taking on the painting and hanging of cubbies, John Lund for moving around a lot of shelves and bulletin boards, Gabriel Schofield for repairing the sandbox trim and removing the chain-link from the front yard, Brianna Schofield for working on the basement organization and Jacqueline Teasdale for painting.

Landscaping work parties begin this Saturday - get in touch with Mark Wilson - 721-5015 or come to the school Saturday morning to chip in on some playground work. Hope to see a lot of folks at the Slab party Tuesday night - read post below for details. Things are shaping up!

Party on the Slab! Tuesday, August 21 - 6pm!

Clark Fork School and Community Bank invite you to a potluck dinner and viewing of the construction progress at the school Tuesday, August 21st at 6:00 p.m.
We hope you will join us to celebrate. It will be a great evening to re-connect and meet new families, introduce yourselves to our new teachers and Director, Linda Symonds. We’re sending this out to our current email list, but please pass the word around to those excited about our project – Friends and Families alike!

• Community Bank is providing hamburgers and buns, condiments and soda.

• Families with their last name beginning A – I, bring a pasta, rice (starch) salad.
• Families with their last name beginning J – R, bring a vegetable dish.
• Families with their last name beginning S – Z, bring a dessert.


Due to construction, the school parking lot use is a bit limited – there is some parking at the school, but overflow parking is available at Rattlesnake School and near Pineview Park. As always, we encourage walking, biking, carpooling, pogo-sticking, etc Please be considerate of our neighbor’s property if you park on the street near the school.

If you have any questions, call Anne at 728-3123 or e-mail annefogelburchenal@mac.com.

We look forward to a lovely evening.

A Note from a former CFS Teacher and Friend

A couple of weeks ago as I stood and surveyed the big mess created by excavating the playground, a red car pulled in the CFS parking lot and a very enthusiastic woman approached. She introduced herself as Erica Stover, the primary teacher prior to Shirley's arrival. She said she had received our fundraising packet in the mail and just couldn't quite imagine what the project was going to look like and since she was in town visiting, she wanted to check it out for herself. Even in that very disheveled state, she was so enthusiastic and genuinely excited for the school. She spent a bit of time inside and drafted a note to all of the teachers. It was such a wonderful tribute that I wanted to share it with all of you friends following our expansion project...

"This expansion is outstanding! What a giant step CFS is making in this generation. I wish you all the most exciting year ahead. Despite all of the change, I still find CFS so comfy and familliar. Knowing that the school survives and THRIVES is a thrill!"

"CFS shaped me in ways I will honor for the rest of my life. Goodness knows, I almost lived here year round! This environment is in my heart forever. All my best to you 0 over the waves of change and off to new horizons. Have a fantastic adventure!"