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Greensburg - Digging Out from the Tornado

KNEA provides support, resources

It was a long week. A deadly tornado struck southwest Kansas and flooding hit northeast Kansas.

While Greensburg area residents are digging through the rubble of their homes, schools and community, residents in the Topeka, Emporia and Wakarusa areas are salvaging the muddy mess left in basements. Weeks later, residents are still in total shock.

Meanwhile, KNEA is among many organizations working to provide support and services. When Greensburg is ready, KNEA will be donating books from the KNEA Reading Circle Catalogue. Meanwhile, teacher leaders from Enterprise, Alabama, have offered their assistance. NEA has also offered help. 

Greensburg plans to start school in mid-August regardless of how many are living in Greensburg at the time.  The district is planning to bus displaced students and staff to Greensburg from Pratt, Bucklin, Kinsley and Coldwater. During the faculty meeting on the last day of school in May, Superintendent Darin Headrick thanked the staff for their courage.  "The future will be fun," he said.  "It's not fun today, but it's going to be great." New buildings are slated to be moved in by mid-July.

In May, many local members lost their homes and had damage to their farms in southwest Kansas. In Greensburg, 100 percent of the residents are displaced.  All but ten classified and certified staff lost their homes, including Ruth Bronson, Amy Fleener, Shawn Starr, Clint Young and Jetta Jo Cantrall.

Greensburg EA President Shirley Unruh lost her home, "but we are well and we have each other," she said. Family, friends and colleagues are coming to help dig out. Greensburg Co-President Sharon McDonald noted the overwhelming kindness and support. "Thanks to all who have generously given support and aid to Greensburg. We are blessed with your kindness."

Rita Suiter, Donna Johnson and Gayle Cornwell live in the St. John, Belpre and Macksville area. Their homes were among those damaged in the same storm.

Local association members such as Andrea Siefkes and Sheila Witt, St. Johns, and Denise Roebkes, Pratt, organized staff and students to go help with cleanup efforts in areas needing assistance.

While reports are not complete, many northeast Kansas homes were damaged or destroyed. Many basements were flooded with "18 inches of lovely Wakarusa River water," said KNEA Secretary-Treasurer Karen Godfrey, a Wakarusa resident. "But we haven’t suffered the kind of losses other members have."

Topeka members Marc Linton, NEA-Seaman, and Donna Linton, Shawnee Heights NEA, suffered major property damage when the Shunganunga Creek flooded.

Area schools fared well for the most part. Topeka’s Stout Elementary was probably the hardest hit with about three inches of water coming into classrooms, reports NEA Topeka President Christine Huntsman. The basement area was damaged "but no teacher lost anything," she said.

What Greensburg Teachers Need

Please do not send anything to Greensburg at this time. They do not have the storage capacity for school supplies, clothing, etc. District officials won’t be able to determine what is needed or will be able accept shipments until at least July. KNEA is working with area teachers/administrators to find a location and a distribution process. Specific school needs will be announced at the appropriate time.
Watch this page for updates.

• A fund for the SCHOOL DISTRICT to assist staff and students has been created. Checks should be made payable to "South Central Community Foundation" with a memo to "Greensburg Future Fund.”  Donors can earmark the contributions for "education” or for specific school needs such as art supplies or textbooks. The mailing address is South Central Community Foundation, P.O. Box 8624, Pratt, KS, 67124.  Donations are eligible for charitable income tax deduction.
• Want to go to help in Greensburg or an area impacted by the floods? The United Way is coordinating volunteers. Groups are interested in bringing students or adults to help clean up Greensburg and other affected areas. If you want to volunteer and live in Kansas, dial 211. If you live outside of Kansas, dial 888-413-4327. You'll be be put on a list for volunteers.
• KNEA is collecting notes and letters to students and staff. Please specify grade or subject area, if preferred.
  • Email: kneanews@knea.org – in subject area: Notes for Greensburg teachers/students
  • Via postal service: Greensburg Students – c/o KNEA – PO Box 1616 – Dodge City, KS 

Want to Volunteer? Call 2-1-1

Calling 2-1-1 will get you help regardless if you’re a victim of a natural disaster or a volunteer willing to help. Individuals or groups interested in helping or in volunteering to go to Greensburg or any area affected by the flooding should CALL FIRST.

If you want to volunteer and you live in Kansas, dial 211. If you live outside of Kansas, dial 888-413-4327. This information is provided by the United Way, which is coordinating volunteer efforts in Kansas.

Individuals Wanting to Help

Large construction companies are busy clearing debris, but the town will soon be ready for smaller tasks that can be done by individuals. Call first for directions into Greensburg. Once there, proceed to the volunteer check-in tent in Davies Park. It is a very large red and white tent. Only individuals 18 years of age or older are allowed to volunteer.

Groups

AmeriCorps is coordinating all groups of six or more people wanting to volunteer. Please contact them at 314-313-4779 to coordinate your group’s activities.

Clothing

It is suggested that volunteers wear long pants, work shoes, hats, gloves and sunscreen.

Lodging

All nearby hotels are full, so plan to volunteer a day at a time.

Equipment

Please bring any tools such as shovels, rakes or chain saws. Volunteers may bring these with them to assist with cleanup activities. Anyone interested in volunteering the use of larger equipment, such as front loaders, etc., must provide that equipment free of charge and will need to provide their own fuel.

Dealing with Disaster — Tools to Help Students Cope

With round-the-clock TV news coverage of natural disasters, scenes of devastation are inescapable and can be extremely troubling to children. They may wonder, Am I safe? Could this happen to me? Why did this happen to those other kids?

These questions are difficult to answer and may spark hard questions of your own. Whether you work with children who have lived through catastrophe, or who are frightened by round-the-clock news coverage, you’ll find the NEA Health Information Network’s (HIN) collection of resources useful in helping students cope with upheaval and loss.

There are a wide variety of resources to help you address common fears and anxieties. In addition, NEA has worked with the following organizations to provide resources. Find more at www.nea.org/disasterrelief/disaster.html
National Association of School Psychologists
Advice for educators, parents, school mental health professionals, and others who are helping young people deal with the hurricane.

FEMA: Helping Kids Cope with Disaster
Suggestions you can use to help children recover from a devastating event.

Dealing with Trauma and Loss: Practical Strategies for Enhancing Resilience
Practical strategies for working through the stress of a traumatic event.

Facilitating Conversations with Youth
Unexpected good can emerge from disaster. Includes lesson plan/family activity.

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