By Cassandra R. Davis, Sarah R. Cannon, Sarah C. Fuller, and Rex Long: For More Info, Go Here…
Reopening schools is a crucial step for many communities recovering from a disaster. Even after schools are operating regularly, the disaster can continue to affect students and teachers. Returning to classroom routines can provide a sense of normalcy and support broader recovery efforts.
The U.S. mainland receives an average of 18 direct hurricane strikes per decade. These storms frequently affect the most vulnerable populations and fragile structures, including schools in low-resource, high-poverty, and rural communities. Understanding how schools have been disrupted after a hurricane and the steps taken to restore routines can help communities prepare for future storms.
We studied the extent to which Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017 impacted operations and recovery process for schools, students, and educators in North Carolina and Texas. Specifically, we interviewed school and district personnel in 54 schools recovering from hurricane exposure across 20 school districts in both states. Overall, participants identified the following three themes as necessary components for establishing a routine:
Acknowledge the Disruption…
Adjust Teaching Strategies…
Provide Mental Health Support…
