Laurens County Schools Prepare to Reopen Following Storm Damage
Laurens, South Carolina — Laurens County School District 56 (LCSD56) is set to welcome students back for in-person classes on October 14, after facing significant challenges due to a recent severe storm. Superintendent Dr. David O’Shields reported that the storm caused considerable disruptions, including a substantial loss of food resources and infrastructure issues.
Storm Impact and Recovery Efforts
The administration’s ability to communicate was severely limited prior to the storm recovery. Internal calls were available, but there was no access to inbound or outbound calls. Dr. O’Shields expressed satisfaction that these issues have now been resolved as the district gears up for the new school term.
“We had a tree bend a fence at the playground. It’ll be an aesthetic fix but the biggest hit to the district was losing our food. I’ll bet we had to throw away nearly $200,000 worth of food,” said Dr. O’Shields, reflecting on the storm’s impact on the district’s resources.
Cindy Jacobs, the Public Information Officer, has collaborated closely with District Safety Officer Joey Avery to assess repair needs and ensure schools are ready for students. Jacobs noted that “all of our buildings are fine,” although there are a couple of roof leaks and some fallen trees that did not damage any school facilities.
Support for Affected Families
The district has implemented various support measures to assist families hit hardest by the storm. While some football games were cancelled or rescheduled, practices continued to help maintain a sense of normalcy for students. “It’s a good way to get the kids to the school so coaches can check on them,” Dr. O’Shields explained. This proactive approach also allowed for food assistance to families that were among the last to regain power.
Clinton High School played a pivotal role during this recovery period, serving as a hub for preparing hot meals. “We started delivering the food because they couldn’t get to us,” Jacobs said, elaborating on the district’s efforts to reach every neighborhood affected by the storm.
Returning to School
As students prepare to return to school, there is a sense of enthusiasm surrounding the resumption of regular routines. Dr. O’Shields aims to incorporate the students’ experiences into lesson plans. “We’ll likely do a post reflection assignment to talk about things,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of learning from recent events.
He added, “We’re lucky and fortunate but looking at the most recent graphic, South Carolina has had the second largest loss of life next to North Carolina.” This reality highlights the critical need to provide students a platform to discuss and understand their experiences.
Looking Forward
Both educators and students are eager to return to a familiar environment. “Our teachers are already coming in to check on things even when they don’t have to. I know we’re all looking forward to resuming some sense of normalcy,” Dr. O’Shields stated, encapsulating the district’s shared hope for stability in the upcoming school year.
Overall, LCSD56 is taking determined steps to restore a sense of community and learning for all students as they prepare to return to their classrooms on Monday.
