School districts reaching out to displaced parents and students

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Two weeks after Hurricane Florence came ashore, many people throughout the Cape Fear are struggling to secure temporary housing after their homes were partially or completely damaged during the massive storm and subsequent flooding.

For those displaced from their homes and apartments, many parents are now wondering if they should send their children to the school in which they were originally assigned before Hurricane Florence or to a school closer to where they may be living now.

“Our plan is to work with families in every way possible to keep them at their previously assigned school if that is what the parents want,” said New Hanover County Schools Spokeswoman Valita Quattlebaum. “We understand the enormous impact this storm has had on our community and we want to help the students regain a sense of normalcy whenever we can.”

Ken Nance is the district’s director of transportation.

“The intent is that the students would remain at the school they were attending prior to the storm if they were displaced,” but if that’s not possible Nance suggests, “The parents should contact the school of the temporary address change.”

Another area hit hard by Florence is Brunswick County where lots of people lost their homes to structural damage and flooding.

Trying to determine which schools students will end up going to is a work in progress according to Brunswick County Schools Spokesman Daniel Seamans.

“Each school continues to reach out to their students to see who/how many are displaced and we will find a way to get them to a safe, learning environment once class is back in session,” he said.

If you have transportation-related questions regarding Brunswick County Schools, call (910) 253-2880.

There is a division that handles routing and rerouting, Seamans said.

WWAY reached out to Pender County Schools and has not received a response.