As a concerned parent whose four children have attended Sacred Heart Academy for over 12 consecutive years, I am writing with regard to the vandalism that occurred on Monday afternoon, May 28.
An uninformed and apparently misguided person took it upon himself to vandalize the school building with graffiti, suggesting that the school community was somehow against the environment. The triggering event seems to be the removal of a gum tree located on the school grounds.
First of all, Sacred Heart Academy and its faculty, students and parents have been good neighbors in the Ocean Beach community for more than 50 years. They participate in nearly every community activity, including beach cleanups, feeding the indigent, and donating to many OB causes. The school community is also known for its support of Stand Up for Kids, the Rady Children’s Hospital Celebration of Champions, youth athletics all over the Peninsula and other worthy causes.
Second, the SHA community has had concerns about the condition of the tree for well over a year. The tree roots have begun to displace the sidewalk in the city’s right of way and they have caused a tripping hazard on the school lawn. Members of the principal’s advisory committee consulted with landscape contractors and arborists to discuss the situation. All of the experts concurred that the tree was too big for the area, that there was a safety issue and that the tree could not be transplanted. Only then was a decision made to remove the tree.
Finally, Sacred Heart Academy has already approved a design for the refurbishment of the entire landscaped area. This will involve trimming and lacing existing vegetation, installation of a new lawn, adding new vegetation and a planting bed, as well as the installation of new, more site appropriate trees.
All of this is being done as a result of generous donations of time, materials and money from the Sacred Heart community.
It is a sad situation when self-appointed guardians of the environment take matters into their own hands.
If any of the Beacon readers would like to help out in covering the expense of the repairs, they should contact the school directly.
Editor’s note: According to Sacred Heart Principal Bob Hamm, an observant motorist witnessed the crime and contacted police, who apprehended the alleged vandal not far from campus.