East Farms students see their letters answered

Marcy Williams, a third-grade teacher at East Farms STEAM Magnet School, has a knack for finding the things her school needs.

It started when she was teaching in the alternative program at the old Mountain View Middle School a few years ago. She was at Spokane Teachers Credit Union one day and asked them what they did with their old computers.

She asked her students to write a letter to the credit union and helped begin a partnership to get refurbished computers for the middle school.

When the alternative program needed stoves for its cooking class, her students wrote to Fred’s Appliance, which donated six new ovens.

Last school year at East Farms, her students wrote to Sherwin-Williams for paint to spruce up the hallways.

“We have been so blessed with these businesses,” she said.

The school changed its name and logo this year to reflect its extra emphasis on science, technology, engineering, the arts and math, but the sign out front still said “East Farms Elementary School.” The school is also transitioning from K-5 to K-8.

It needed a new sign to reflect the name change and the K-8 program at the school.

Williams put her students to work on a new letter to Mike Glen at Magnificent Signs.

“We wrote, ‘Could you please donate a new sign for our school,’ ” said Doug Ripke, one of Williams’ students.

During the weekend, crews installed the new sign, and it greeted students Monday morning.

When asked what he thought of the new school, Tristan Waits stuck two thumbs in the air.

It’s been about a month since her class wrote their letters, so most of them have forgotten what they have written. Williams reminded Liam Nowels that they talked about how they have been working to make the inside of their school nicer by painting the walls bright colors. He responded that they now want to “make the outside better.”

Nowels said he was surprised they received a new sign and he’s impressed.

“It’s really different from the old one,” he said.

Williams said her latest letter-writing campaign was to Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Patty Murray and President Barack Obama. Students wrote that it’s been a long time since the district has passed a bond and they would like their support. Students wrote that if everyone, Democrats and Republicans, could help raise $200 each it would make a huge impact on the school.

“I’m feeling something’s coming,” she said.