SPS continues Katrina-relief efforts

casey@theheraldnewspapers.com

In an effort to provide some relief to the chaotic conditions in the post-Katrina Gulf-Coast region, Seymour Primary School has adopted an elementary school in Slidell, La. and has collected scores of supplies that will be sent to the school this weekend.
SPS students, staff and families managed to amass enough supplies to fill 25 large boxes, according to Laura Hebert, the school’s guidance counselor. Donated items include linens, toothpaste, soap, pajamas, towels and some school supplies, Hebert said.
Hebert said that the school, Bayou Woods Elementary, was somewhat damaged in the storm and ensuing floods, but the school building still faired better than the homes of many of their students. “About 230 of their students are still considered homeless,” said Hebert. Many of the school’s students live in an area just north of Lake Pontchartrain.
Slidell was hit by a huge storm surge during Katrina with the Old Town and lakefront areas of the city burried under 8 feet of water and thousands of dead fish. Hurricane Katrina’s eye passed less the 20 miles from city.
Storm surge from hurricanes a can build up in the lake and force inland as wind pushes water into the lake from the Gulf of Mexico.
According to Hebert, the school sought out to adopt a school that is similar to Seymour Primary. The school took on a similar attitude directly following the disaster, managing to raise $500 for the American Red Cross through donations from the staff, students and their families.
Through the help of The Education Station and Debbie Reed, the school found a free ride for their collected supplies which was picked up from SPS on Thursday and will be delivered to Bayou Woods’ doorstep this weekend.