A culture of caring at Spring Grove School

Sitting on the desk of Spring Grove School Superintendent and
Principal Jenny Bernosky’s desk, there is a jar full of coins from
an elementary school student. The coins are brimming from the top
of the six-inch-tall jar that is covered in pastel flowers. It
wasn’t for show and tell, and Bernosky didn’t confiscate it.
Instead, it was given as a gift
– a gift for the school’s former custodian Joey Corral. In
January, Corral was forced to retire because of stage-four cancer
that his doctors discovered a couple of months earlier, in
November.
Sitting on the desk of Spring Grove School Superintendent and Principal Jenny Bernosky’s desk, there is a jar full of coins from an elementary school student.

The coins are brimming from the top of the six-inch-tall jar that is covered in pastel flowers. It wasn’t for show and tell, and Bernosky didn’t confiscate it. Instead, it was given as a gift – a gift for the school’s former custodian.

Joey Corral, 58, was a well-liked and well-known custodian for five years. His youngest kid graduated through the school, and his five grandchildren all have called Spring Grove School home over the past 14 years. And in the last five years, Corral was the school’s popular custodian.

“Everyone knows who Joey is,” Bernosky said.

But in January, Corral was forced to retire because of stage-four cancer that his doctors discovered a couple of months earlier, in November.

Corral’s right arm is covered in a black cast. The sudden retirement and health problems shocked the Corral family, including the school’s staff, parents and kids.

“All of a sudden it happened,” an emotional Corral said. “And all of a sudden everyone turned around and said, ‘It’s Joey,’ and we need to help.

“I couldn’t – I couldn’t thank them enough.”

Throughout the struggle, the school’s community has joined together to help Corral and his family. Students began bringing in money to give to Corral. Parents created a dinner schedule – to deliver Corral, his wife Irene Corral and their kids and grandchildren food every other day.

“They bring us dinner every other day,” Corral said in disbelief. “It’s amazing – they are amazing.”

On top of all that, the school has created a “2 Buck Tuesday,” asking students to bring in $2 for Corral and his family on every Tuesday. On March 3, the school will host a “Just for Joey” pasta dinner.

All money received goes directly to Corral and his family.

“It is amazing to see everyone pull together to help anyone in need,” Corral said. “They are there when you need them.”

The school community always has been close-knit, Bernosky said.

“When someone is in need here, we go out of our way to help them,” she said. “It’s our culture.”

Eighth-grader Megan Bettencourt and her brother, second-grader Luke Bettencourt, took helping Corral to heart. The younger Bettencourt was so distraught over the news of the school’s custodian that he decided to start a bake sale to help raise money.

Within one day of selling baked goods that his sister, mother and he made, Luke Bettencourt raised more than $1,400 for the Corral family.

“He is a really great person and I heard he had cancer, so I wanted to help,” Luke said.

They never expected to raise so much money, but they are glad they did, Megan said.

“It feels great that everything we did will help,” she said. “We are just excited.”

The Bettencourts are just one example of the help and support from the Spring Grove community, Joey Corral said.

“These people are just … they are great,” he said.

How to help:

The “Just for Joey” pasta dinner is scheduled for March 3 at the Spring Grove Gym. The dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is either dine-in or carry-out, Jenny Bernosky said. The dinner includes pasta, salad and bread. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Spring Grove office or by calling (831) 637-3745. All proceeds go to the Corral family. Additionally, those wishing to donate money to the Corral family can bring it to Spring Grove School.