Schools help students impacted by the recent Tornado

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- When disaster strikes everyone in a family is impacted.

For students at Stokes Beard Elementary in Columbus, the rhythm of the school year continues. Homework is still being given, and tests are still taking place.

But for a few students, it’s the only thing that remains the same.

“The home environment they are used to having is no longer stable, but they’ve got to have some stabilization got to be in the environment. Where they know that they are loved, that they are cared for, we want to make sure they feel they are normal as possible here at school and children are children here are very caring very loving they’re very supportive,” said Gloria Gunter.

“Number one our parents are telling us is we don’t want our students to worry they want to be the ones that fix the problem they want their students to come back to school to just have a school environment and let the parent show shoulder that hardship,” said Kimberly Gardner.

20 families were impacted by the tornado that tore through Columbus and 7 Stokes Beard students were left without a place to call home.

Now those kids are staying with relatives while their parents get back on their feet.

And the school is doing what they can to help out.

“Ecco ride that’s the transportation system. They have worked hand-in-hand with me when our children they just needed me to tell them where the students were, and they were going to make sure that the buses went to where the children were to make sure they’re picked up and brought to school,” said Gunter.

Many of the kids lost everything during the storm. Including things, they need to be successful in the classroom.

“We had personal citizens stop by and say what did you need what can we help you with. Our students here at school they have a bundle abundance of supplies,” Gardner.

Some students had to take a quick break from learning after the storm, but now that they are back in class teachers and staff are there to support them.

“They transition fine because we’re family here you know and what is here we’re all here, and that’s a part of our school our culture and our climate,” said Regina Wash.

Gloria Gunter says they will be keeping an eye on students impacted by the storm.

They are looking for behavioral changes including sleepiness, lack of concentration, and not getting involved in classroom activities.

They want to make sure they can step in and help out any student who might be struggling.