updated with address change on Oct. 12.

By Mary O’KEEFE

This year College View School’s Walk/Wheel-a-thon, held on Sept. 30, brought out students, parents, teachers and the community to travel along the sidewalks covered in students’ names and, for some, to see the brand new facility and campus.

For the about 15 years the school has held the fundraiser that helps offset students’ expenses for assembly and field trips.

“Our goal was to raise $15,000. That pays for most of our field trips,” said Corky O’Rourke, teacher on special assignment and special projects at College View. “Busses to take our kids to [events] like special arts festivals cost about $2,200.”

Through the Foothill Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), College View provides services to students in Glendale, Burbank, La Crescenta and La Cañada including specialized instruction in functional academics, life skills, communication, socialization and motor skills. The eight classrooms serve students ranging in age from 3 to 22 with moderate to severe cognitive and physical disabilities, according to the school’s website.

The school takes students on field trips to places that many would not be able to go unless with the school. O’Rourke shared one example of the students attending a performance at Theatre West in Los Angeles.

“The students in wheelchairs get to go on stage,” she said. “The other students learn how to stand in line, get their ticket and [take] a seat.”

These are life lessons that are encouraged via the field trips.

In addition the school will bring in animal shows and music groups.

“Our kids love music … These are experiences that a lot of these kids would normally not get [to enjoy],” O’Rourke said.

In addition to fund raise, this year’s Walk/Wheel-a-thon allowed students and teachers to show off their new campus.

“The whole school was knocked down [basically] and rebuilt,” O’Rourke said.

The school was founded in 1977 and since then there has been little renovation. Within those 38 years there have been advances in technology and equipment that support the school’s community of students. The renovations have brought those advances to the school. The new campus in partnership with the foundation of support from the parents, teachers, staff and community continue to make College View a very special place.

At the Sept. 30 event, the Glendale police officers and their Explorers came by to show their support.

The GPD has been supportive throughout the years, as have students from Verdugo Academy.

“And Jewel City donated 10 beautiful signs [for the event] that we can use every year,” O’Rourke said.

As an added touch, this year the kids’ names were written in chalk along the path that was used for the Walk/Wheel-a-thon. This made the fundraiser even more personal.

The event though raised far below the intended goal with a final total of $5,000. Some larger supporters did not come through this year; however, O’Rourke is hopeful their outreach efforts will continue.

The school is unique not only because of the students it serves but because of the dedication and cooperation within the community.

Anyone who would like to tour the facility can contact the school and ask for O’Rourke, (818) 246-8363. Anyone who would like to donate can do so by contacting the school or mailing a donation to: College View, 1700 E. Mountain Street, Glendale 91207.

  Mary Okeefe