MICHAEL COONS/Simi Valley Acorn

After a fire damaged a Katherine Elementary classroom on April 24, Simi Valley residents and service groups responded quickly by giving over $1,500 in donations for classroom supplies.

The Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley donated $1,000 and the Simi Valley Education Foundation donated $500 to fourth-grade teacher Marie McClure for supplies and items lost in a fire that was allegedly set by two young students. It caused an estimated $100,000 in damage.

One grandmother of McClure’s students donated a set of encyclopedias.

McClure lost many items that she had purchased on her own. The fire was especially tragic since she’s a new teacher and this was her first classroom.

VANDALISM-The charred exterior of Katherine Elementary School is apparent in these photos taken soon after the April 24 fire. The blaze allegedly was set by two students at the school. Community donations are helping pay for repairs.

"I know (McClure) put an incredible amount of (her) own money into the classroom," said Linda Zulager, a Kiwanis Club director and a volunteer at Katherine Elementary.

"She feels for her students," said Terrie Auday, the office manager at Katherine Elementary who spoke on behalf of McClure. The teacher wished not to be interviewed.

McClure and her students had been preparing for open house later this month by putting several projects on display in the classroom, such as replicas they built of California missions.

"Your classroom is like your home," Auday said. "Their hard work is gone."

Zulager, who is a former teacher herself, said McClure shed a few tears when she was presented with the check.

"It was very, very touching. It made you feel that this is why we do all of our fundraising," Zulager said.

Auday said McClure was overwhelmed by the outpouring of warmth the community showed.

"She’s very thankful."