Two California school districts located more than 300 miles apart have formed a connection after each was impacted by very different natural disasters. Trona Joint Unified School District, located in the northwestern San Bernardino County community of Trona, is recovering from devastating earthquakes on July 4 and 5 that did significant damage to the community and schools. Biggs  Unified School District, located in Butte County, has been affected by the  Oroville  Dam Spillway evacuation in 2017 and the Camp Fire in 2018.  Biggs  Unified School District Superintendent Doug Kaelin said he felt it was imperative to reach out to the Trona community, in light of the support Butte received from other schools following the disasters its students experienced.    “When I heard that Trona High School was closed and  temporarily  moved to the elementary school, that their football field goal posts were knocked down and  the continued tremors they are dealing with, I felt it was important for our students and community to help,” Kaelin  said.  “Others helped us during tragedies, and we can do the same for Trona.”   Biggs  schools  will be connecting with Trona  classrooms and sports teams  throughout the year. The Biggs Sports Booster Club is stepping up to raise awareness and funds, and the Biggs High School football team played its first game of the year in honor of Trona.  In  addition,  the elementary and middle schools also will reach out to Trona students via class letter writing, email correspondence and  even  visits to offer comfort and stabilizing relationships.    “When we experienced multiple crises here in Butte County, school districts and county offices from all over California and the nation reached out to lend their support to our students and staff in so many ways,” said Butte County Superintendent of Schools Mary Sakuma. “Even as Butte County continues to address its ongoing crisis recovery needs, especially in the area of trauma and mental health supports for students, families, and staff, we want to be there for others as well.” In the first few days following the earthquakes in Trona this summer, Butte County Office of Education was asked by the California Small School Districts’ Association to lend technical assistance and expertise learned through handling its own disaster to the school district. BCOE Associate Superintendent Tad Alexander was on a plane headed to San Bernardino County a few days later to lend a hand and help support this small school district.  “Our staff and students  are extremely  resilient,  but this earthquake has really affected everyone in our town,”  Trona Superintendent  Keith Tomes said.  “We are so grateful to have a sister school relationship with the Biggs Wolverine Community. Our students and staff will really enjoy having support from our North State friends.”     Both Trona  and Biggs have something else in common — their football teams each won their first games of the season in shutouts, with Trona winning 56-0 and Biggs triumphing 40-0.    “I was so happy to see Trona win its first game,” said Biggs football coach Tyler Rutledge said.  “I can’t imagine seeing our field goal posts down and the impact that would have on our teams.  We lost part of our stadium due to a fire, and we rebuilt, so we know what it is like as a community.”    Trona football coach Richard Ancaria said his players appreciated the support from Biggs.  “Our field goal posts were knocked down, but not us,” Ancaria said. Former Butte County Superintendent Tim Taylor, who is now the executive director of the California Small School Districts’ Association representing 550 small school  districts, linked  the districts.  “What we learned from the Camp Fire is that teachers and students who are traumatized need  emotional  support.  Teachers, staff, students and coaches provide that to each other with genuine love and care,” Taylor said.  “I have been so humbled how the leadership at Trona has stayed focused on getting students and teachers back to school this week.  Long-term, they will need support, comfort and love.”   San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre said he applauded the support offered by Kaelin, the district and the football team. “Many times, we see the power that sports can provide a community in terms of its identity and spirit,” he said. “Under difficult circumstances, it’s gratifying to see the tremendous gesture being made by Biggs Unified in support of the students, staff and the community in Trona.”