A Community in Need    

The School: Central Elementary School is part of the Pascagoula School District. The building was built in 1958. The school serves grades K-5.  Beach Elementary was damaged and could not be repaired in time for school, so they are housed with Central for at least 2 years.

The Story: Hurricane Katrina brought 4 feet of water into the building. The school lost everything. Over 75% of the staff had major damage or complete loss of their home. 80% of the students had major damage or total loss of their homes as well. Most did not have insurance.  But not only is this spirited community rebuilding its homes, they are simultaneously rebuilding the school as well.  Teachers lost everything they had in their classrooms.  When they walked in the building on Oct 4th to get ready for children on the 6th, they had only floors and walls. There were no student or teacher supplies, desks, tables, not even a pencil or paper. Through the generosity and compassion of other teachers in the district and across the country, they opened with most of the necessities.