McCarthy Elementary PTO Collecting Books, Fundraising For Flooded Framingham School

Originally posted at 1 p.m. on Feb. 17. Updated on Feb. 18 for the Thursday newsletter.

Updated on Thursday at 4:55 p.m.

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“We have had a number of books donated so far, and we will make sure any donated books that we don’t need at McCarthy will go to children in need in Framingham,” said McCarthy PTO to Patch.

In addition to books that were lost, as Principal Matt Hanlon noted, a number of our teachers need help replacing classroom furniture, games, educational materials, etc. that they personally purchased for their classrooms, explained PTO leadership.

If the community would like to help and make donation of money to replace classroom materials for our teachers, said the PTO, they can visit the “PTO’s PayPal account: mccarthyPTO@gmail.com. Please select “friends and family” to avoid fees.”

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After a pipe burst and flooded a wing of McCarthy Elementary School over the weekend, less than 24 hours later parents jumped into action to help get the school ready to open after school vacation week.

Tuesday, Framingham Public School leaders discovered that pipes had burst in four schools (McCarthy Elementary, King Elementary, Wash Middle, and Framingham High), causing “widespread” damage, according to the district’s director of buildings and grounds.

Schools are closed this week due to vacation, and are scheduled to re-open on Monday.

McCarthy was the most damaged of the four schools.

A pipe in an outside wall at the school burst and soaked 9 classrooms, a teacher’s lounge, and the hallway.

The kindergarten, first grade, and special education classrooms have water damage throughout, as the area was flooded with 2 inches of water.

McCarthy PTO Co-President Kara Fink said the PTO is ”collecting books to help replace the classroom libraries.”

Current and former McCarthy families, as well as community members, who would like to donate books, can drop them off the school, said Fink.

A McCarthy parent Taube Vallabha is spearheading the book drive and collecting books at her home too, said Fink. The community can drop books off at her house at 226 Maple Street, at the back door. It is a green-colored house.

Uno’s on Route 9 and the McCarthy PTO have partner for a fundraiser to help the school this week. Print the coupon at this link, and up to 20 percent of your takeout order or dine in meal will go to the Framingham elementary school. The fundraiser started Wednesday night and runs through Sunday.

Fink said the PTO will be scheduling a fundraiser at Barnes and Noble booksellers in Shoppers World soon, where individuals and families can purchase specific requested books by the teachers.

The school will then earn 20 percent from all sales, which will be invested back into the classroom libraries, said Fink.

We are waiting to hear what kind of other classroom supplies are needed and will be putting out a call for those, said Fink.

“We will also most likely be launching a Donors Choose shortly to help replace some of the furniture and other items (such as book cases) personally purchased for their classrooms by the teacher and therefore not covered by insurance,” added Fink.

“We so appreciate everyone’s support,” said Fink.

McCarthy Elementary School Principal Matt Hanlon wrote on a school-oriented Facebook page Wednesday that he appreciated all the support, too.

“Some classrooms lost more than others, while some lost very few. There were a lot of other materials that were lost including games, puzzles, markers, chart paper, small furniture (bookcases), and curriculum material,” wrote Hanlon.

“We hope to be able to let people know how they can help us with this by the end of the week. Again, very appreciative of all the support from the McCarthy Community and the Framingham Community as a whole,” wrote the principal.

Framingham Buildings and Grounds Director Matt Torti told Framingham Patch Tuesday that the schools will likely file a claim with the town’s insurance holder. The insurance company and school leaders toured the school on Wednesday, while teachers, staff, and volunteer parents began the clean-up process.

On Tuesday afternoon, Torti said of the four schools, he was most worried about if the damage can be repaired in time for McCarthy to open on Monday.

Despite the heavy water damage at McCarthy Elementary, Framingham Assistant Superintendent of Schools Frank Tiano told staff Wednesday the “goal is to have all classrooms ready to go come Monday.”

Framingham Patch was the first to report the news Tuesday afternoon.

Some parents said they have yet to be notified of the damage at their child’s school, since the pipes burst by the school district. Pipes burst causing damage at McCarthy, King Elementary, Walsh Middle, and Framingham High.

McCarthy’s principal communicated to parents and staff about the damage on Tuesday evening, said PTO members.

The Framingham Public Schools released a press release on the incident and damages at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Editor’s note: in full transparency I am a former PTO president at McCarthy Elementary.