Tree Branch Breaks Off in Storm

A large tree branch broke off of a tree at the beginning of fifth period, Tuesday, October 13. The tree, in front of Latin room 304, was damaged due to the high winds of Tuesday’s storm.

The large branch had been jerking back and forth all day, and finally cracked, falling and damaging the gutters of the 300 wing. The fallen branch was intruding the pathway, and school security guard Genaro Quintara, along with the school’s groundskeepers were assigned to focus on safety and cleanup.

“I rushed over and grabbed a branch off the roof,” Quintara said. “We cut [the branch] up and put the safety tape up there for the safety of the school and the students.”

Felipe Chavez was in charge of chain-sawing the branch off the tree so that the branches could be moved out of the way. Chavez also inspected the gutters shortly following the incident.

Quintara said safety is still the school’s main concern.

“I am staying out here to make sure kids don’t [do anything],” Quintara said. “You know [how] kids are with branches. I have to make sure they don’t get all tangled up.”

As far as monetary concerns, Vice Principal Ralph Cave is still assessing the damage and whether or not the tree will survive.

“A tree expert will need to come out here and look at it [because] the tree lost 25-30% of it’s weight,” Cave said.

To evaluate and fix the gutters, the groundskeepers will have to wait for drier weather. Until then, the school will focus on removing the large tree branch.