Woodroe's New Beginning: A community's effort to save a school

In a quiet residential neighborhood surrounded by majestic eucalyptus trees, the sound of children’s laughter permeates through the air. Listening more closely, you can also hear the clink of a playground swing, the patter of small feet running, the bleat of goats. When searching for the source of these sounds, you’ll discover Woodroe Woods School nestled next to Don Castro Regional Park.

Since 1974, Woodroe Woods School has provided preschool through 2nd grade programs for more than 5,000 students and families. Over the years, Woodroe became renown for its rural setting, play-based philosophy, and acceptance of all children. Woodroe teachers became known for their empathy and compassion, leveraging their ~300 years of experience to instill a strong foundation for learning and integrity in the children. Woodroe students became known for having self-confidence and self-respect, understanding that there are different ways to achieve, and exceed, the standards expected to be met. Woodroe alumni became known for being successful in their academic and business careers, some returning to Woodroe to teach, to enroll their own children, or both. In June 2016, due to retirement and selling of the property, Woodroe Woods will need a new home.

Woodroe’s New Beginning is a group dedicated to keeping our 41-year-old school open. We have been gifted the 501(c)(3) school status, existing supplies, and the teachers and staff are ready to carry on. We need assistance in finding a new location for Woodroe Woods School, so we can continue to provide quality early education in the Hayward and Castro Valley communities and keep the Woodroe Woods legacy alive.

As it currently stands, there is already a shortage of early education and childcare options in the area. In a 2014 report, the Alameda County Early Care and Education Planning Council listed Castro Valley as priority one of needing care for preschool-aged children, given a shortage of 83% children not serviced.

Compound that with existing schools being at capacity, approximately 160 current Woodroe students enrolled, 140 families recently impacted by another nearby school closure (Camelot in July 2015)– if we are unable to keep Woodroe open, approximately 300 families will have their children displaced in the space of a year. All of these families will be looking for new preschool and childcare, only to discover the lack of available options.

The Castro Valley and Hayward region will suffer and our communities will lose their appeal. Families with young children will leave the area in search of premiere preschools and childcare elsewhere. Businesses, afterschool programs, and restaurants will suffer. In hopes of preventing this situation from becoming reality, we have been working hard to find a new home for the school.

There are many challenges. Being a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Woodroe’s New Beginnings does not have the capital to compete with developers when looking to purchase or lease land. We are also working under a tight time constraint, as we would like Woodroe to move into its new home in June 2016 – which is only five months away.

Currently, the old Camelot site (El Portal) is up for bids and Woodroe’s New Beginning would like to make an offer so the school could move there. It is large enough that Woodroe could even expand the preschool, add an aftercare program, and offer 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade along with the K-2nd grade program. This location would allow the school to continue serving families living in the Castro Valley/Hayward areas.

Contact us at info@woodroesnewbeginning.org

Facebook page www.facebook.com/woodroesnewbeginning

Website http://www.woodroesnewbeginning.org

Donations https://www.gofundme.com/woodroewoods