Schooling after relocation? Teachers needed?

[CajunMama]

2000 kids have been enrolled into the Lafayette parish school system. I haven't heard how many into UL.

My neighbors daughter was a junior at Tulane. She'll be going to Villanova now and Villanova has graciously waived her tuition.

[Kennethb]

My children's school in Baton Rouge went from about 230 to over 300 in a few days.

I am sure that some schools will need extra teachers and will be able to hire teachers displaced.

Getting students back quickly will get them into a routine and something to focus on and give them hope for the future.

[PortA61]

I believe a number of college and universities are trying to help out. Our son attends Westminster College in Missouri and they have a notice on their website that they are offering admission to up to 20 students from the hurricane area. I work at a local university and an email went out asking if any students would be willing to take in an extra roommate for the semester.

As a former teacher I agree that it would be good to try and get children into a school as soon as possible. I know the logistics are not easy, but I think it would be good for the kids.

[NC George]

I think all the college students will be taken care of, UNC (which was 16 schools) is allowing students to admit, with priority given to NC state residents. So virtually every nearby state is allowing transfers as room allows.

As to housing, most universities are overfull the first couple of weeks of classes. Since 30% of the freshman class will quit within 4 weeks, things naturally work out as the semester progresses.

[MannyG]

It looks like everybody is stepping up as far as taking care of displaced students. My niece (HS) and nephew (elementary) will be starting school in Dekalb County in Georgia on Tuesday. It looks like there are at least 5 others in the affected area that was signing up at the same time as my niece. It also looks like my sister (a certified teacher) will have little problem finding a job in this area.

[LSU2001]

My concern is that the sudden influx of students into already stressed schools systems may and I stress MAY cause a lot of unforseen ripple effects. For instance in my classroom (High School Biology and Chemistry) I already do not have enough desks for the students I have. In some classes I have over the state mandated 33 students. I work in an inner city school here in EBR and we have a hard time dealing with the problems that come with our own students. (violence, gangs, drugs, etc) I am truly scared to contemplate the magnitude of the problems that the influx of students from NOLA will cause. I have already heard that some of the kids are saying that they are going to "take over the country schools in BR" I am fearful that our system will be hard pressed to deal with these issues. However, I will report to school on Tuesday and do my dead level best to address every issue that arises. I only hope that my fears are groundless.
TIm

Ps. My wife works at BRCC (Baton Rouge Community College) and they are putting the final touches on a plan to accomodate as many displaced students as they can from Delgado, UNO, etc. They are bracing for a tremendous surge of students as well

[baygirl_1]

Our local school superintendent said in a news conference yesterday that the MS State Superintendent of Education reported that 35,000 students do not have a school to attend in MS. Therefore, AL schools have been told to prepare for these students. In fact, a friend just e-mailed that their parochial school in Daphne is going to have 48 new students from out of state attending it when they go back to school on Tuesday.

[yzerfan]

From the Okaloosa County (Ft. Walton Beach area) Schools web site:

http://www.okaloosaschools.com/

"Normally, we expect transfer students to bring academic and other records as part of their enrollment in our schools. In this case, the schools some students have attended may be closed, damaged, or even under water. So we ask our guidance counselors to obtain verbal information from families and make the best and most practical placements possible for the students’ benefit. To that end, please undertake whatever academic screening is necessary in order that students who need extra help can receive Second Chance Funds, intensive reading instruction, gifted education or any other service that’s appropriate.

Superintendent Don Gaetz has been in touch with Dr. Karen Chapman, Director of the County Health Department. Dr. Chapman is Okaloosa School's partner in providing upgraded school health services this year. She has agreed that any students from hurricane-displaced families (who are unlikely to have primary physicians locally) can be referred to the Health Department for necessary immunizations, health screenings, and outpatient primary care, if indicated. Dr. Chapman will also work with us to ensure that qualified students receive Medicaid health benefits as well as access to children’s medical insurance programs provided for under Florida law."

And from the agenda for an emergency school board meeting:

"4. Authorization for the Superintendent to execute Lease Agreements for portable classrooms needed to accommodate unanticipated enrollment growth due to hurricane displaced students, presented by Tommy Kranz and recommended by the Superintendent for approval.

5. Authorization for the Superintendent to execute Utility Easements and other agreements necessary for the set up and delivery of utility services to portable classrooms, presented by Tommy Kranz and recommended by the Superintendent for approval.

6. Approval of additional instructional allocations up to a budget limit of $222,500 and authorization for the Superintendent to fill such positions as may be necessary based upon unanticipated growth due to hurricane displaced students, presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval."

No one is quite sure how many Katrina evacuees are eventually going to enroll, but apparently they've already got a couple hundred extra kids who have shown up for classes.

[LSU2001]

Dear Timothy L. Long,




Important information for Louisiana teachers and school employees:


To all Louisiana Federation of Teachers members, teachers and school employees: Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you as we face, together, the most destructive natural disaster ever to hit our nation.


LFT is attempting to get as much information as possible to you during this crisis. We plan to reopen our office on Tuesday, September 6.


LFT is currently unable to update our Web site, http://www.lft-aft.org. As soon as possible, we will have it running with updated information.


The American Federation of Teachers has established an emergency hotline at 1-888-238-5646. This number will have the most recently updated information. You may also leave messages at this number.


Right now, facts are scarce and rumors are rampant. We are trying to ensure that we only give you accurate information.


What we know now:


All teachers and school employees: wherever you are, register your children for school. (In Baton Rouge, school system recruiters are visiting shelters with registration information.)


You are encouraged to apply for jobs in the districts where you have relocated.


State Superintendent of Education Cecil Picard recommends that you apply for unemployment benefits, food stamps, and any other public assistance that may be available.


Parish information:


East Baton Rouge Parish: Superintendent Charlotte Placide says she will attempt to open schools on Tuesday, September 6, 2005.
Thousands of displaced children are registering for school in Baton Rouge. Teachers are urged to apply for jobs in the system. Contact hr@ebrschools.org or call 225-922-5400.


Jefferson Parish: The system is setting up temporary facilities in the office of Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden.
Employees will be paid through September 15. The staff is attempting to restore the payroll servers by that time.
Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Joe Potts has spoken to Superintendent Diane Roussell, who says she hopes to begin reopening Jefferson Parish Schools in October. They are trying to ensure that employees will continue working without loss of pay.
The Jefferson Federation of Teachers may establish temporary offices at the LFT office in Baton Rouge. LFT will handle calls from JFT members at 225-923-1037 or 1-800-634-5089 after Tuesday, September 6.


Orleans Parish: The school system is setting up temporary offices in Baton Rouge.
Teachers and school employees are urged are apply for jobs in the school district closest to their shelter.
Employees will be paid for the time already worked this school year. We are unsure at this time what benefits will be available. The Orleans Parish School Board is attempting to set up a delivery system for paychecks.
The United Teachers of New Orleans is working to restore their Web site, http://www.utno.org, and will have more information as soon as it is available.
LFT will handle calls from UTNO members at 225-923-1037 or 1-800-634-5089 after Tuesday, September 6.


We have no information firm yet on school systems in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa Washington or St. Bernard Parishes.