Community News
Ile Omode's online news and events portal for information important to our community. Contact Mama Kelly if you have information to share.
Ile Omode Parents Build a Shed
 Tuesday, December 5, 2017 
With help from a host of brothers (and a sister, and some youth) Baba Marcus Gary designed and led the building of our campus' latest addition - a fantastic, custom built shed. The new shed replaced our previously used aluminum siding shed, which, after a few run-ins with larger objects, was ready for retirement.
Marcus says he appreciates, "what this school has done for the development of our young Kings and Queens. This project was an easy contribution in honor of the staff and the mission of this school".
With guidance from the Beautification Committee, and Mama Charemon, whose vision and support he greatly appreciated it, Baba Marcus designed the shed to include a sizable storage unit as well as an enclosure for the school's trash bin, further improving the visual esthetics of Ile Omode's campus. Earlier during the summer, a new fence was built, and Baba Marcus took time to integrate the shed with the fence's design. The resulting shed and fence combination provides a wonderful backdrop to the playground.
Baba Marcus, a senior project manager for a construction management firm, received assistance from babas Bryan Kennedy, Jamal Cooks, and Jerry Jenkins, and the support was in-part his motivation for doing the project. The Beautification Committee project planner, Mama Charemon Cooks, also lent a hand, as did every other member of the Cooks household (Jamila [5th] and Cameron [K]). They were joined by Marcus' son, Neranti and fellow 8th grader Yhzekel.
The building began during the summer, but unfortunately it coincided with the hottest days of the summer - and temperatures were greater than 100 degrees during most of the group's work. Undeterred by the heat, the group grabbed some water bottles and soldiered through the heat.
The material was provided through grants from the California Endowment and the California Wellness Foundation. The design and labor were provided free for the collection of very dedicated parents and students.
Baba Marcus Gary is a multi-talented parent. The Berkeley graduate works as an architect and project planner, and is a member of the Asar Aset Society. He earned a BS in architecture with a minor in structural engineering at UC Berkeley, before obtaining an MS in construction engineering at Stanford University.
There are just a few more small additions which remain, and volunteers are encouraged to jump on in.
Jamal Says Jan 14, 2018 A labor of love for our children!!!!! |
Write a Reply or Comment