| Every year the
hurricane season brings with it a sense of trepidation, uncertainty,
and fear. Especially for those of us who live in areas prone to
being hit.
This year my home state of Florida was devastated by four major
hurricanes. The last (Ivan) hit Pensacola. I know the news was more
intent on bringing information forward about Alabama, but the truth
is the western portion of Florida was hit with the east side of
the hurricane. The east side is the most powerful and devastating
part of any major storm.
Schools in this area were hit hard. Over 70 of 90 schools received
major damage. By the time you read this, schools will be back in
operation. I thought it would be a nice gesture to contact some
of the schools (since a lot of the damage was in the gymnasiums,
or the gymnasiums are now being turned into classrooms) and see
if any of our fellow physical educators need anything. A few jump
ropes, playground balls, or anything else might be a welcome sight.
It's only been a few years since we were devastated by Hurricane
Floyd, which was the fourth hurricane of the season for us here
in Eastern North Carolina. If you've never been through one it's
hard to imagine no electricity, or the long lines waiting for food,
water, ice, and other essentials we so often take for granted. One
of the bright spots was other schools went out of their way and
sent us balls, ropes, and some other goodies to help us through
and it was very much appreciated.
If you would like to make contact and see what, if anything, you
or your school could do to help use one of the links below.
Receive information
on the damage to schools.
Contact the Escambia
County Schools.
By the time you read this hopefully I will have my mother fully
moved out of Pensacola and up here to Eastern North Carolina. She's
had enough of Florida. Maybe there won't be any surprises for her
next Hurricane season.
John Williams
Elementary Section Editor
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