TEPSANs Work with Hurricane Katrina Student Refugees

Deb Beasley, McKinney ISD - September 10
Our school, Earl Slaughter Elementary, was selected to receive the students from the incredible shelter located in McKinney in an old WalMart store. Our students and staff have begun to collect money to be donated to the Red Cross and named the effort S.O.S. ... Slaughter Offers Support.

The following is an email I received from a teacher: "This morning at Good Morning Slaughter, Deb put out the buckets for the Red Cross and asked the kids to come down if they had any money to give. Allison got out her purse and got some change and started down with it. One of our new friends from the shelter started down also. She didn't have any money. She just wanted to go down. She asked Allison when they got up to the stage what they were doing. Allison told her they were collecting money to help the people in the hurricane and then slipped a few coins in her hands. The girl had a smile from ear to ear and she dropped it in the bucket!! They started back to the stands holding hands. That my friends is what this is all about!!!"

J.C. Harville, Spring ISD - September 10
At my school, we had a parent to get 50 backpacks donated and several boxes of school supplies. Our staff and others have donated approximately $2,500.00. What we are able to do with our 20 - 30 evacuees is to give them a backpack, school supplies, school t-shirt, and then we are able to give the parents some gift cards to purchase what they need. We are also letting them know about a local area assistance ministry that can help them with food and clothing items as well. Our registrar and counselor meet with each family to see what needs they might have. We have compiled a list of needs and are working in conjunction with another local group to get the students and parents what they need to be successful. It's a team effort of community and school working together.

Barbers Hill Intermediate School Student Council, Barbers Hill ISD - September 6
Here at Barbers Hill Intermediate School in Mont Belvieu, our student council members are leading the way for the newly enrolled "hurricane refugees" by acting as the official welcome wagon for our school.  Student Council representatives have been assigned to new students to act as mentors.  They will be helping our new students by showing them around the buildings, introducing them to others, helping them to get organized, and helping out with class assignments as well as homework. So far, we have enrolled 4 new fifth grade students and 8 new sixth grade students.  We are also planning to have our new council members work next week at a nearby community church which is acting as a clothing depot.  Sorting as well as labeling the incoming articles of clothing will be a few of the duties these big hearted students will perform during after school hours.  We are very proud of all of our students here at Barbers Hill Intermediate, not just our council, as everyone is opening their hearts to take the time and make the room during this very difficult time in the lives of our new students.

Price Brown, Spring ISD - September 1, 2005
Just a note to let you know what a terrific day I am having. We are making opportunities from challenges at Reynolds-Oak Creek.  We have gotten our first children who were evacuated from New Orleans.  We met them at the door with book bags full of supplies, a school shirt, and a teddy bear.  You should have seen the smiles on the faces of the kids and the parents.  Even though the size of our school (953 kids and 107 staff) was a bit intimidating, we were able to make them feel very welcome.

When I asked the parents what else we could do, their response was "You already have."  I told my staff that sometimes kids are sent our way for a reason.  We have a chance to make a difference with these children. What they have been through at their age is incredible.

I want to say a special thanks to Soldier Creek and Highland Park Elementary in MWC for having drives to provide school supplies.  My teachers are providing the school shirts and our PTO is providing the bears.  Through the federal homeless statute we are able to feed them and enroll them without documentation for 30 days.

I am glad that we were able to put this network together so quickly. It actually came together in less than 24 hours, but was in place before the first kids arrived.  We don't know how many kids we will get, but we will love every one of them to death.

We are putting out information packets that can be obtained at the hotels upon check in, and baskets of survival needs for the families upon enrollment.  We are working with businesses to provide meals at restaurants, etc. for these families and getting them clothing, etc.  This is what school families are for.

The last several days have made an impression on everyone with the stories and film.  Yesterday I felt despair.  Today, I feel exhilarated. Today, I hope you also feel a little better because you know that some of these kids and families are being well taken care of.

One of my parents just came by and asked if it was OK if she adopted one of the displaced families.  I told her to pick one with lots of kids because we have a lot of love to give.

Price Brown, Spring ISD - September 2 Follow Up
I just wanted to follow up from my earlier note.  Your responses have  been incredible and uplifting.  My intention was never to highlight what  we did, but instead to provide you solice from what you see daily on TV.

We have now been adopted by 3 Oklahoma schools.  Their response has been such that we are going to be able to share our blessings throughout our district.  One school called to say that their contributions exceeded a pickup truck and we are going to have to ship much of the supplies they
have gathered.

We went to the hotels yesterday and were well received.  Many of the parents seemed surprised that we wanted their children.  They have been coming in throughout the day to pre-register for next week.  Many of our staff plan to go to the hotels Monday (Labor Day) to see the kids and
give the parents a much needed break.  As you can tell, I have assimilated an incredible staff.

We are looking forward to Tuesday when we anticipate more than 20 new enrollees.  I honestly can't wait.  I know we will be blessed by their attendance at Reynolds- Oak Creek.

Our efforts to accumulate much needed necessities has been incredible. Today I was met at the door by a first year teacher carrying 6 bags of school supplies and daily necessities.  Here is a person making the least in my building who felt compelled to help.  He said he considers himself fortunate to be employed at Reynolds- Oak Creek.

I am honored daily to be working among people who care so much for others and about kids.  I have often wondered if I am where I need to be.  I know now that I am.  Have a blessed day and thanks for making many lives a bit brighter.

Suzie McWilliams, Van ISD - August 31, 2005
Believe it or not, I just spent the morning going room to room at the Van Inn inviting storm refugee children into our schools. Believe me, I got back in my car and thanked my God for my many blessings. The families were grateful and the kids were precious and so excited about the prospects of a new school. I knew about the McKinney-Vento Act but I was just going by my “gut” on some things.  Thanks to TEPSA for always staying on top of things!

Robert Reid, West Orange Cove CISD - September 2, 2005
Today was the first day of school for 31 students who enrolled at Bancroft Elementary in Orange, TX.  We brought the students in on buses, fed them breakfast, quickly enrolled them in classes and began their school day.  We will provide these children with new underwear, socks, shoes, and three pairs of school uniforms.  These children enjoyed their first day of school and are glad to be a part of our Bancroft family! The community of Orange and our district have opened their arms wide with their generosity toward these families.