The
Red Hook StarªRevue
THROUGH DEC. 16, 2012
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
SCHOOLS UNITE TO REBUILD NORMALCY by Kimberly Gail Price
O
n December 4, Mrs. Julie Cavanagh’s special education class was cutting triangles out of paper snowflakes. At first glance, the scene looked like everything had returned to normal. But just because the electricity and heat were back on did not mean the end of PS 15’s challenges. PS 15 suffered major damage to their location during Hurricane Sandy. They lost their entire basement, and everything in: their annual carnival set-up; the Flea market collection; extra furniture for vacant classrooms; and all of their books for the new library. Some teachers had personal stuff for their classrooms, which was all destroyed as well. An entire wall in the basement was knocked out. PS 15 went back into school week before Thanksgiving. Prior to that, classes
‘“Thanksgiving was squashed for so many families and we don’t want the same thing to happen for Christmas,” Bellahcene said.’
fects of Hurricane Sandy will not delay their move into their new home at 732 Henry Street in February. Summit Academy, which also shares a building with PS 676, also had no damages, but many students and their families live in Red Hook. Students - or Scholars - as Summit calls them, had many families who were severely impacted. Some lost everything; some are still displaced. Natasha Campbell, Executive Director, poses the question, “There is something bigger than Summit here: continuity, normalcy. How do we support that? It’s a city-wide problem.” The first week back to school in mid November, Campbell says they handled the scholars with “kid gloves.” Faculty realized they may be fragile and disheveled. The school held advisory sessions where the kids could talk about what they saw and what they were experiencing. She spoke of giving out extra shirts to students who were embarrassed that they could not wash laundry under the circumstances. A counselor was there to make sure all children could talk about what they had seen and what they were experiencing. Sensitivity was an important aspect of this process.
Older students volunteer
PAVE Academy, located on the second floor of PS 15, was less affected by flood damage, but were also displaced for several weeks. Their classrooms were temporarily relocated to NYCHA’s Miccio center until structural and safety issues could be repaired. However, the ill-ef-
After Hurricane Sandy, South Brooklyn Community High School lost power for a couple of days. After the basement was pumped, they accessed the damage of the building. They had power. But the phones went out during the first week and there was a big concern about how to stay connected with the students in the immediate aftermath. Their students started showing up to volunteer. They were really “plugged in” to the community’s needs, according to Rachel Forsyth, Director of Transfer Schools in South Brooklyn. She is “blown away with the patience and the ‘we’re gonna get through this’ attitude.” Students have pulled together. They became more of a “big shiny light” to help support the community.
The Red Hook Star-Revue 101 Union Street Brooklyn, NY 11231
were relocated to PS 676. PS 676, formerly PS 27, did not lose power and suffered minor damages. They hosted the displaced PS 15 for three weeks, welcoming the other neighborhood school with open arms. A sign just inside their doorways was posted to make new students feel as comfortable as possible. But despite the damage to their school, most students attending PS 676 live in Red Hook and were greatly affected at home by the storm.
Teachers encourage normal routine in Mrs. Cavanagh’s classroom, as children struggle with the shock of Hurricane Sandy (photo by Kimberly G. Price).
David Arons, Job and Internship coordinator with South Brooklyn Community High School, said he felt there is an underlying level of anxiety about where they live among students. Home is supposed to be a safe place. Sandy turned that upside down. Helping and volunteering became a sense of security for not just current students, but also alumni and families of the students. “How do you get back to focusing on education with this kind of disruption in the school system?” Arons asked. He said the students didn’t really talk about hurricane much. Instead, they came out to support their community.
Life at home not back to normal
Back over at PS 15, they are still working on rebuilding. However, just because the school is back up and running does not mean that things are back to normal. Many who attend the public school live in Red Hook. Life at home is not yet back to normal. Many had water leaking through the walls into their homes once gas and water were turned back on and much of their clothing and bedding would have to be replaced. They are still in need of school supplies and the school hopes to help families provide Christmas presents for their children. The damage did not cause any structural issues, but there is still much to be re-
paired - and to be replaced. Air quality and other safety measures were checked to make sure it was safe for students and faculty to return once electricity, heat and water were restored. PS 15 decided to forgo their Christmas Flea this year. The point of the holiday market is for kids to buy presents for their families. So many cannot afford that right now and the school felt it would be insensitive to what people have been through. PTA Co-President, Lydia Bellahcene says, fundraising is “stumped” because they “can’t ask for money from devastated families.” Their own students still need school supplies and toys for the holidays. PS 15 did hold their 4th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6th to give the kids a chance to celebrate the holidays with their classmates and teachers. “Thanksgiving was squashed for so many families and we don’t want the same thing to happen for Christmas,” Bellahcene said. Kids and schools across the country have been in contact with PS 15 and their students making donations to the area’s schools. First year 4th grade teacher, Jenna Utter’s family gathered a semi truck full of supplies in Michigan and drove it to give to PS 15. The school distributed supplies to about 50 families in their cafeteria on Saturday, (continued on page 3)
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