Erasing the Hurt : Community Pitches In to Repair Vandalized Van Nuys Classrooms

Kindergarten teacher Tobi Rosen was crying again Thursday.

Ten days after she was reduced to tears by the destruction of her classroom by vandals, a stream of donations to help with repairs had her weeping once more, this time in appreciation.

New carpets, gallons of paint and lots of emotional support were in evidence Thursday at Erwin Street School in Van Nuys--all offered to help erase the damage to four classrooms inflicted by young vandals on March 1.

“It’s just been unbelievable,” Rosen said. “There’s been an outpouring of help from the community.”

The classrooms were trashed when three graffiti “taggers,” in a one-night rampage, splashed yellow and purple paint, knocked over cabinets and scrawled graffiti on walls and windows, including a swastika. Three youths were detained in the case.

Merchants, parents, former students and even strangers touched by the story have pitched in to help in the restoration. The rooms were cleaned but many items, such as the carpets for the kindergartners to sit on, were damaged beyond repair.

On Thursday, Rosen surveyed her students as they scampered on two new $300 rugs.

“A woman drove up a few days ago in a car and said, ‘Mrs. Rosen, I need to talk to you,’ ” Rosen said. “She gave me two nice books and a $100 check. She lived in Sherman Oaks.”

Another woman who donated a tricycle told Rosen that she wanted to do so because “with teachers like you, I don’t have to send my children to a private school.”

Then Grant High School students, many of whom attended elementary school at Erwin, banded together last week to donate three new tricycles, a play car and a new fish tank for kindergarten teacher June Ikoma’s room. The vandals killed the fish and ruined the old tank when they emptied a fire extinguisher in the room.

“I feel like I could cry,” Ikoma said Thursday as she hugged one of the donors.

Merchants such as Gary Forsch, manager of Roscoe Hardware in Sun Valley, which donated paint supplies, came forward.

“I’m tired of vandalism,” Forsch said. “We want to send a message that the businesses around here care and want to get involved.”

More paint and supplies came from Smiland Paint Co. and LAAGCO Sales, both of Burbank. Specially made rugs were delivered Thursday by Lakeshore Educational Supplies in Carson. In all, more than $2,000 has been donated.

Repainting has been scheduled for April 3. Rosen hopes volunteers will send a message.

“What we’re trying to do is bring the message to everyone that we need to focus on the good people of the world, rather than the few who don’t follow the rules,” Rosen said.

And on Thursday, the students loved it.

“I feel happy because the room will come back together,” said Damon Kuenzler, 5. “And that’s why I want to stay in this school, because they are going to fix it.”

“It really gets you in the heart, you know,” parent Bob Ochwatt said.