St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell told WWL’s Tommy Tucker that pretty much all of their elementary schools, and two middle schools, that were shuttered by Ida damage returned to school Friday. It’s a major milestone for the hurricane-ravaged river parish and comes as the region has also started to see the first shelter travel trailers delivered by the state.
“The school system has done an incredible job,” said Jewell. “They have gotten the fall sports going again, we’re having varsity football, and junior varsity football back on a normal schedule and that is just so important for a lot of our folks around here.”
Jewell said the return to class and athletics helps set the tone for the whole community.
“It just brings a sense of normalcy, not only for the parents but the kids as well,” said Jewell.
Last month Jewell told the Legislature that over half of students in the district were not living in the district due to being displaced by damage to their homes and communities. Soon, many of them will be able to return to even the most storm-battered homes.
“The first of our state allotted trailers went out on Monday and I am told that the program is going to really ramp up on this coming Monday,” said Jewell.
