Schools Victims by Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans schools likely out for rest of school term: Louisiana schools Superintendent Cecil Picard says schools in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes probably will be closed this entire school year, although several nearby school districts could be back in business within weeks or months. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (9/7)

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I covered a regular class a few days ago. Because I am an English/ Written Expression teacher, I gave them a writing activity that would keep the class quiet for the whole period. I distributed to them newspapers that show articles and pictures about the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, then we brainstormed some ideas which could help them in their writing.

I was touched by this one students, who told me that something has to be done by the school. She was serious about it and I saw her persistence. So I told her that I would help in her information dissemination by printing 10 pages of the letter that she wrote during that class, and posting it as an entry to the school's community website.

Here's her letter:

This letter is to remind the students about the victims of Hurricane Katrina and what our school can do to help out. I believe that if you give, you will get more in return. These victims need our help seriously. They lost precious homes, jobs, money, schools, clothes, and other important personal belongings.

I suggest that the students be supportive of this cause. We could start helping them by donating some amounts of money, bringing in canned goods, jackets in all sizes, school supplies, washing detergents, and things that we use in our activities of daily living.

As we do this, we should remember that we do ourselves a lot of good. We will be repaid a hundredfold times. We need to show that we care. Giving comes from within us.

Thank you so much!

RELATED TOPICS: Hurricane Katrina, special education, schools