Spring's in the Air at Cooley Ranch Elementary

About 500 people packed in and around Cooley Ranch Elementary School last Friday night for the school PTO’s (Parent-Teacher Organization) annual Spring Family Festival. Students from four grade levels performed during the event, which included carnival-style games and food. The Easter Bunny also made an early appearance, dancing with students to music provided by DJ Art Chavez and sitting down for instant portraits in the library provided by parents Bill and Gina Norris, with help from a spring-themed background created PTO secretary Fidelia Juarez. The carnival games were designed and built by PTO President Roy Ramirez, while the game booths were manned by volunteers from the Colton High School Navy JROTC. Members of the school’s sixth grade class also pitched in, moving tables into position for games and dining seating. PTO treasurer Angelina Sanchez-Garcia was kept busy collecting money for game tickets as the crowd lined up starting a half-hour before the event started. Food and drinks were provided thanks to donations from parents at the school. The crowd had the chance to have regular favorites such as hot dogs and nachos, as well as sample home-made pozole provided by teacher Brian Lopez and 'aguas frescas' provided by volunteers with the school’s ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee). The school’s community partner, Domino’s Pizza, also provided pizza at a discount cost for the crowd. A silent auction featuring more than a dozen gift baskets--assembled with items donated by parents, teachers and supporters--was also held during the night to benefit the PTO. The Ontario Reign hockey club, through its Hope Reigns Foundation, and indoor soccer’s Ontario Fury and its nonprofit Fury Foundation, provided items valued at more than $100 for the auction. The Colton Chamber of Commerce also provided a picnic basket filled with items for families to enjoy. PTO member Isabel Salas helped solicit items for the silent auction gift baskets, and also coordinated the help from the Colton NJROTC. Meanwhile, Principal Judy Scates and Assistant Principal Lorilee Martin coordinated the silent auction, helping decorate the baskets and providing security as needed. The PTO organizes two family festivals each school year as a fundraiser, and to promote community amongst the school’s more than 600 students and their families. The PTO also puts on several other events during the year, including family movie nights to give parents and children a safe, family-friendly place to enjoy themselves. Final totals from Friday’s event are still being tallied, but similar events in the past have raised more than $1500 for the PTO fund, which goes to help the students and staff at Cooley Ranch. One of the major events the PTO is helping fund is a school-year ending overnight science field trip for sixth graders to Sea World.