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Weed Elementary gets help from people who have been there By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Sep 09, 2022 05:00 PM A A A small delegation from Phoenix-Talent shared their fire experience with Weed Elementary School students Homes destroyed by the Mill Fire line Wakefield Avenue in Weed, Calif. A delegation from Phoenix-Talent Schools visited Weed Elementary School this week to share their fire experience with the school. [AP Photo/Noah Berger] Phoenix-Talent School District psychologist Rene Cabrera already knew he had a long day ahead of him when he drove down to Weed, California, Wednesday morning, but what was truly difficult was the sight of burned-down houses and hollowed-out vehicles along the way. It reminded Cabrera of the Almeda Fire, which almost exactly two years earlier had ravaged much of Phoenix-Talent and displaced hundreds of students in the school district. Rather than dwell on the tragedy, Cabrera decided to give back and help Weed Elementary School students and staff deal with the aftermath of the Mill Fire, which scorched their town last weekend. “The focus for me, in my head, is what can I do to help out these students,” Cabrera said. “I kind of learned to block out my own feelings and emotions so I’m able to be effective and help these students in any way that I can. It isn’t about me.” Weed Elementary School leaders announced no instruction Tuesday due to a power outage, and attendance was optional for the rest of the week as families scrambled to deal with the impacts of the fire’s aftermath. For students, the school had fun and games planned with the help of Project:Camp, a local outdoor education organization. Phoenix-Talent School District officials became involved Wednesday after Superintendent Brent Barry — named Oregon Superintendent of the Year in 2021 for how he handled the Almeda Fire — arranged the trip when his counterpart asked for help. Though Weed Elementary School, 575 White Ave., escaped damage, several students, staff and their families were displaced. According to Allison Blankenship, the school’s assistant principal, six student families and two staff members lost their homes in the fire. Seven students have not been able to move back into their residences. Blankenship acknowledged student displacement as a result of a fire was a big ticket issue for Weed Elementary School, and officials there tried to tap the minds of their counterparts in the Phoenix-Talent School District, which saw 700 students displaced by the Almeda Fire “To be honest, I don’t think they had an answer for that,” Blankenship said, referring to Phoenix-Talent officials. “I think they said they’re still trying to find an answer — and that’s the hardest part.” Cabrera’s job with Weed Elementary School students was less one-on-one counseling and more providing fun activities and snacks. “It was not an ordinary day. Teachers were doing their best to keep a positive environment and not put anything too stressful on the students,” Cabrera said. Blankenship said Wednesday went smoothly, and more than 140 students attended school Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday started off with teachers, staff and members of the Phoenix-Talent delegation greeting students. “There were some fallen faces; you could tell, some apprehension,” Blankenship said. “But quickly moving into all of the things Weed Elementary and Project:Camp had planned, the faces quickly lightened up, and we saw smiles and laughter. That’s what we wanted to see.” After Wednesday’s visit, Barry agreed with Cabrera’s assessment that driving to Weed in some respects reminded him of the Almeda Fire, but that was not necessarily a bad thing. “I think helping our friends in Weed also helps the healing for all of us,” Barry said. “After two years, I think we are ready to share what we learned and know. It was great to help and support, and we will continue to reach out.” By the time the day was over, Cabrera felt like he had helped the elementary school community “take the first step in the right direction.” “We know what these families are about to go through, as we ourselves are still going through the aftermath (of the Almeda Fire),” Cabrera said. “They have a long journey ahead of them in rebuilding their community.” Blankenship agreed. “It’s a long recovery. It’s not going to be instant,” she said. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.