Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic effects on the region, Pinellas County school administrators and Superintendent Kevin Hendrick talked about school operations prior to this week.
Out of the 40 schools on Friday, only eight remained without electricity following an evaluation on Sunday. 43,000 Pinellas residents were still without electricity as of Sunday night.
Gulf Beaches Elementary and Madeira Beach Fundamental K–8 are two Pinellas County Schools that suffered significant damage from the storm surge, according to the county.
“We know that this plan will inconvenience some for relocating these schools and nearly 2,000 students,” Hendrick stated.
The communities of Walsingham Elementary, Osceola Fundamental, and Lealman Innovation schools will be impacted by the closures.
- Walsingham Elementary will be the destination for Madeira Beach Elementary children (11:40 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.)
- Osceola Fundamental High will be attended by Madeira Beach Middle students (12:10 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.).
- The hours of operation for Osceola Fundamental High School are 6:25 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
Parents who require before-school care for their children can drop them off at Madeira Beach Elementary by Wednesday at the regular 8 a.m. start time. There will be transportation to the new locations.
Except for the two that sustained significant damage and Disston Academy, all Pinellas County schools will resume regular operations on Monday.
Disston Academy’s student body of about 70 will become a part of Lealman Innovation. Wednesday is the first day of classes at the three campuses as part of the district’s post-storm rehabilitation plan.
Students attending Gulf Beaches and Madeira Beach Fundamental will have childcare provided by the district on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tyrone Middle School.
Families must check in during drop-off but are not required to register in advance.
“The beautiful part about this is they already have the piece of knowing each other and knowing who their classroom teacher is and knowing those expectations,” Chris Ateek, principal of Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 stated. “Now it’s reacclimating and really just getting in and dimmer-switching this and bringing people back together.”
Superintendent Hendrick reported that hundreds of school personnel suffered serious damage or lost their homes as a result of Hurricane Helene. A single worker perished in the storm.
“Some of our employees we’ve talked to this is the third time in the year that their homes have flooded,” Hendrick stated. “Some will move and not come back. That includes families.”
Although there is a team of 1,000 substitute teachers ready to help, the district does not anticipate a shortage of teachers. Hendrick pledged to help staff and kids’ mental health “for days, weeks, and months” on behalf of the school system.
“Pinellas County Schools is committed to providing continued, high-quality instruction for all students,” the district stated.
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To address concerns with the transfer, the district is holding two parent meetings on Monday night.
- Meeting place for Gulf Beaches Elementary is Boca Ciega High School (Time: 5:00 p.m.)
- Osceola Fundamental High School is the meeting place for Madeira Beach Fundamental K–8 (Time: 6:30 p.m.)
Click here for more details about Pinellas County Schools.
