Advocacy
💌 An Open Letter to the Beverly Cleary School Community
Understanding Seismic Risk and How We Can Take Action
The seismic risks at our schools are real — and while that can feel overwhelming, there are actions we can take together to make a difference.
🔍 Know the Facts
- Seismic Safety is Now a PPS Priority.
On May 6, 2025, the PPS School Board unanimously passed a resolution prioritizing seismic safety for elementary and middle schools. - Funding is in Place.
Thanks to the May 2025 School Bond, the district has committed $90 million in reserve and cost-savings funds specifically for seismic upgrades. - What’s Next: A Districtwide Plan.
PPS is now developing a plan to prioritize retrofit projects based on: - Building structural risk factors
- Student occupancy and equity considerations
- The needs of vulnerable populations
🏫 About Beverly Cleary (Fernwood)
In 2023, PPS hired the engineering firm Holmes to assess how each school would perform in a major earthquake. The final report, published in August 2025, found that many PPS schools need major seismic upgrades.
Beverly Cleary (Fernwood) – Key Findings
- Seismic Risk Score: 9.9 out of 10
- Building Type: Contains unreinforced masonry and other structural weaknesses
- Age: Original sections built in the 1920s–1930s (pre-modern seismic standards)
What This Means for Safety
- Parts of Fernwood’s main building could face partial or total collapse in a large earthquake.
- Falling walls, parapets, and chimneys pose life-safety hazards.
- Evacuation and emergency response would be difficult due to building age and layout.
Estimated Retrofit Cost
- Full campus upgrade: ~$18.6 million
Includes wall strengthening, roof and floor anchoring, and reinforcement of hazardous masonry.
(Partial fixes are not considered sufficient for life safety.)
🤝 How You Can Take Action
- Stay Informed & Prepared
Participate in earthquake safety and preparedness efforts at school, starting with the Great Shakeout event at BCS from 10 - 11 a.m. in the Cafetorium on October 18. - Support a BCS Parent-Led Safety Committee
Join or volunteer to help coordinate safety advocacy. Contact pta-all@beverlyclearyschool.org if you’d like to help get this started to connect with the school’s Safety Committee, in partnership with Parent Rep Catalina Gonzalez. - Engage with PPS Leadership
Demand a clear, prioritized seismic plan — and community involvement in the process. - 📅 PPS Board Calendar: View meetings here
- 📧 Subscribe for Meeting Notices: Email kbradshaw@pps.net
- 🎥 Watch or Comment Live: Public meetings & livestream info
- Help build a coalition
Reach out to families at other high-risk schools. Share this information and encourage them to engage their PTAs, principals, and PPS Board members in this discussion and in the advocacy. Working together across PPS is a crucial way to demand the District develop a clear, transparent plan and acts on the plan with urgency.
📊 How Many Schools Are at High Risk?
According to the Holmes Report, 23 PPS schools scored above 9.0 on a 10-point risk scale — representing over 14,000 students.
Top-Risk Schools (9.5 and higher):
- Fernwood (Beverly Cleary) – 9.9
- Jackson – 9.8
- Rose City Park – 9.8
- Lee – 9.7
- Buckman – 9.6
- Rieke – 9.6
- Kelly – 9.5
📣 Stay Connected & Amplify the Message
Follow Safe Structures PPS for updates and advocacy opportunities:
