With the catastrophic disasters the world has witnessed in the last 8 months - Tsunami on the Indian Ocean coast, Hurricane Katrina, and now the earthquake in South Central Asia, many of us may have stopped to consider our level of disaster preparedness.  Thanks to last year's Chair Person, Irene Gale and the Courreges PTA committee of volunteers, they refreshed our Disaster Bin on the Courreges campus.  In the June 2005 update below, you'll see the fruit of their efforts.  However, school preparation is not enough.  It's clear we all need to prepare at our homes, cars and work places.  The following are additional resources for your family's preparation.

Disaster Resource Kit

If you like to purchase from the same supplier Courreges PTA procured from as well as many of our local fire, police and emergency agencies, the contact information is:

Sue Bonner

Earthquake Management

15156 Golden West Circle

Westminster, CA  92683

(800) 925-9744 ext. 106

eqmgmt@earthlink.net

Please mention Courreges PTA when contacting Sue.

This year our Mayday 1200 calorie food bars expired and were replaced with 3600 calorie bars (a food ration amount for 3 days with a shelf life of 5 years).  Our 55 gallon barrels of water had expired dates and are currently being rinsed and refilled (and will have a shelf life of 5 years).  Our bin was stocked with individual water pouches to make distribution of water easier (and you guessed it!, these have a shelf life of 5 years).  Our Head Custodian, Bulmaro Sanchez, has done an exceptional job of assisting in the organization and cleaning of the bin and the refilling of the water barrels.

Disaster Preparedness goes beyond food and water supplies, too.  Each teacher and office staff received a new customized red disaster bag filled with medical supplies, flashlight, safety vest and clipboard.  A special note of thanks goes to Denise Janowski who engraved each flashlight.  Lynne Ichiyama assisted in the ordering of medical kits.  Cynthia Bandaruk and Jennifer LeBaron offered assistance at the beginning of the year.  And a very special thanks to Boy Scout Troop 226 whose members assisted in the assembly of the bags.

Other new supplies include the addition of "port-a-potties" in core classrooms in the event of a "lock down."  New tables and chairs and EZ Ups were stocked, as well as, replacement of many outdated supplies in our bin.

Of special note, our school district has agreed to replace our existing decaying bin with a new container bin this summer.

As a final note, I speak not only as the Chair of the Disaster Committee, but also as a parent, it is important to recognize Ms. Loyd and all the teachers and staff at Courreges.  They not only provide a wonderful education to our children, but also take to heart the safety and well being of our children.

Have a SAFE and enjoyable Summer!

Irene Gale
Disaster Preparedness Chair
 

Disaster Preparedness Committee is looking for help!

Over the past few years, PTA has coordinate the the supply and storage of PTA funded disaster relief items kept in the large on-campus storage bins in an event of a major disaster.  Much of the supplies are now in need of replacing as we come to end of their shelf life.

This year's projects will include:

• New Disaster bags for each teacher
• Restocking outdated supplies
• Organizing our existing supply bin

Those with interest can contact Irene Gale at iwgale5@verizon.net or 714-963-0273.  Thank you very much!