LUMBERTON — The first day of school in Robeson County after Hurricane Matthew brought the impact of the storm on the community into stark focus Monday when about 10 percent of enrolled students did not return to class.

Despite efforts to locate students, The Public Schools of Robeson County reported a total of 2,341 students absent from the first day back Monday. Students had been out of school since Oct. 7, the day before Matthew hit with devastating flooding. There are about 24,000 students in the school system.

“Our school staff in the hardest hit areas called their families by phone,” said Tasha Oxendine, public relations officer for Public Schools of Robeson County. “Throughout the district, our counselors and social workers visited the shelters to pass out information about school opening and school transportation.”

School counselors also visited a number of hotels where displaced families are staying to pass out information about school transportation for students. Buses are transporting children at the shelters and hotels.

Private transportation is also being used.

“Our bus drivers did a really good job over the past two days picking up students with the new turnarounds and stops,” Oxendine said. “We are asking if there are any parents unsure about stops or buses, they are asked to call their schools.”

Though several schools suffered damage from the storm, all students are being accommodated and have safe school environments to attend, according to school officials..

“West Lumberton Elementary is closed and the students are relocated to Lumberton Junior High’s 300 wing,” Oxendine said. “The kitchen and the kindergarten and first grade hall at W.H. Knuckles Elementary received severe damage from the storm flooding. Those students are relocated to another area of the school. Breakfast and lunch is being trucked into W.H. Knuckles from Tanglewood Elementary for the students.”

The school system’s central office and transportation lot were also severely flooded, and central office staff have been relocated to COMtech and The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

An independent agency, as well as an independent lab, did testing of the schools for air quality and found they were safe for students and staff.

As students get back in the classroom they are being helped by support they have received from many places.

“Each (West Lumberton Elementary) student went home Monday with new book bags filled with new supplies, a bucket of candy goodies and a box of food,” Oxendine said. “We have received a great outpouring of support, not only from around the nation, but other countries as well. We have received book bags, school supplies, new clothes purchased for students, water, ice and the list goes on and on.”

On Tuesday, the local system had school superintendents from around the state reaching out to lend a hand.

“This afternoon we forwarded a request from a school social worker who was looking for new underwear, coats and socks for displaced students,” Oxendine said. “We forwarded this request to another school district who was offering to help.”

Students from West Lumberton Elementary begin their first day back to school on Monday in the 300 wing at Lumberton Junior High. The students were relocated after their school suffered major flooding after Hurricane Matthew
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Schools1-1.jpgStudents from West Lumberton Elementary begin their first day back to school on Monday in the 300 wing at Lumberton Junior High. The students were relocated after their school suffered major flooding after Hurricane MatthewCourtesy photo

Lumberton Junior High cheerleaders welcome students from West Lumberton Elementary as they arrived at the school on Monday. The West Lumberton students were relocated to Lumberton Junior High after their school suffered extensive flooding after Hurricane Matthew.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Schools2-1.jpgLumberton Junior High cheerleaders welcome students from West Lumberton Elementary as they arrived at the school on Monday. The West Lumberton students were relocated to Lumberton Junior High after their school suffered extensive flooding after Hurricane Matthew.Courtesy photo
Schools try to find displaced students

By Michael Gellatly

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