Rose City school readies for Marysville students

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Rose City Park Elementary School woke from a couple of years' slumber Saturday to the ministrations of more than 200 volunteers, community members, contractors and staffers readying the building for Monday morning's arrival of Marysville School's K-8 students and teachers. 

Nearly 500 students and teachers safely evacuated Marysville School in Southeast Portland as fire swept the building Tuesday morning. Portland Fire & Rescue investigators released preliminary estimates Saturday that set the toll at $4.25 million:  $2.75 million damage to the building and $1.5 million damage to contents. 

The displaced students and teachers will stay at Rose City Park, about five miles from Marysville in Northeast Portland, at least through the winter break and possibly through the entire school year.

"We want them to settle in here," said Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith. "This is their new home."

Nearly 100 volunteers signed up to help on Saturday within the first two hours of announcing the planned clean-up project. "It's the quickest I've seen a project fill here," said Andy Nelson, executive director of Hands On Greater Portland. "It speaks to the passion people have, and the clear need."

"We worked hard to have something for everyone to do," Nelson said. "I suspect we will touch every square inch of the property by the end of the day."

Note: You can help the students and teachers of Marysville School by donating new supplies through the volunteer-run non-profit organization Schoolhouse Supplies. Donations can be dropped off at 2735 N.E. 82nd Ave. in Portland.