Superintendent Doug Kaelin has announced that the Biggs Unified School District will support Trona Joint Unified and its students as they continue to recover from devastating earthquakes on July 4-5 that did significant damage to the community and schools. Trona, in northwestern San Bernardino County, is still affected by thousands of aftershocks. Biggs, located in Butte County, has been affected by the Oroville Dam Spillway evacuation and Camp Fire during the past two years. Kaelin said he felt it was imperative to reach out to the Trona community after Butte received support from other schools following the disasters its students experienced and had to recover.
“When I heard that Trona High School was closed and temporarily moved to the elementary school, that their football field goal posts were knocked down and the continued tremors they are dealing with, I felt it was important for our students and community to help,” Kaelin said. “We want to start our help to Trona by letting the teachers and students know we are supporting them and thinking of them. Others helped us during tragedies, and we can do the same for Trona.”
Biggs schools will connect with Trona classrooms and sports teams throughout the year starting on Sept. 6. Biggs plays a home game at its newly renovated field and the Biggs Sports Booster Club is stepping up to raise awareness and funds. In addition, the elementary and middle schools also will reach out to Trona students via class letter writing, email correspondence and even visits eventually to offer comfort and stabilizing relationships.
“When we experienced multiple crises here in Butte County, school districts and county offices from all over California and the nation reached out to lend their support to our students and staff in so many ways. Even as Butte County continues to address its ongoing crisis recovery needs, especially in the area of trauma and mental health supports for students, families, and staff, we want to be there for others as well. My sincere appreciation goes out to Biggs Unified School District Superintendent Doug Kaelin and his coaches for jumping in to support the Trona football team and the community as a whole, ” says Butte County Superintendent of Schools, Mary Sakuma.
In the first few days following the earthquakes in Trona this summer, Butte County Office of Education was asked by California Small School District Associaion to lend technical assistance and expertise (learned through our own disaster) to the school district. BCOE Associate Superintendent Tad Alexander was on a plane headed to San Bernardino County a few days later to lend a hand and help support this small school district.
“We’ve been so honored and humbled by the generosity and support that we’ve received here in Butte County. We want to pay it forward any way that we can,” says Sakuma.
“Our community and schools have been traumatized by the earthquake. Our staff and students are extremely resilient, but this earthquake has really affected everyone in our town,” Trona Superintendent Keith Tomes said. “We are so grateful to have a sister school relationship with the Biggs Wolverine Community. Our students and staff will really enjoy having support from our North State friends.”
Both Trona and Biggs football teams won their first games and have something else in common – both won in shutouts with Trona winning 56-0 and Biggs triumphing 40-0.
“I was so happy to see Trona win its first game. It will be a huge lift to host that first game for the entire community. Our team is stoked to be playing for the community of Trona this week,” Biggs football coach Tyler Rutledge said. “I can’t imagine seeing our field goal posts down and the impact that would have on our teams. We lost part of our stadium due to a fire, and we rebuilt, so we know what it is like as a community.”
Former Butte County Superintendent Tim Taylor, who is now the executive director of the California Small School District Association representing 550 small school districts, linked the two districts.
“What we learned from the Camp Fire is that teachers and students who are traumatized need emotional support. Teachers, staff, students and coaches provide that to each other with genuine love and care. It is a great opportunity for the community near Death Valley to partner with a farming community in the North State,” Taylor said. “I have been so humbled how the leadership at Trona has stayed focused on getting students and teachers back to school this week. Long-term, they will need support, comfort and love. I know the Biggs Community will provide that throughout the year.”
Trona football coach Richard Ancaria said his players appreciate the support from Biggs.
“Oh, man. We can’t wait to get on that field next Friday and feel the love from our community, Biggs School District and throughout the state,” Ancaria said. “Our field goal posts were knocked down, but not us.”
"Under difficult circumstances, it's gratifying to see the tremendous gesture being made by Biggs Unified in support of the students, staff and the community in Trona, said San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Many times, we see the power that sports can provide a community in terms of its identity and spirit. As county superintendent in San Bernardino, I applaud the support of Superintendent Kaelin and his district, along with football coach Tyler Rutledge, to help the community of Trona move forward with the important work of educating students and promoting the activities that define our communities,"
Trona enters each home football game with Metallica’s song, “Enter the Sandman (their mascot),” blasting through its stadium, called The Pit. “We will be so fired up and ready when we walk on that field,” Ancaria said.