Stronger than the Storm: See how

STRONGER “Preparing an elementary school as a shelter is much different than a middle or high school. Consider a kindergarten classroom with all the manipulatives, all the cubbies, all of the things that make the environment fun to be in and are needed for than the STORM learning… that all must be secured.” by Laura Cross, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Allison Norgard is the principal of Sessums Elementary School in Riverview. And Hurricane Ian wasn’t her first rodeo.

“I had done shelter before,” Norgard says. “The principal of Riverview Elementary who helped us out, as well as one of my secretaries, all had experience with shelters. So that speaks to the depths of principals and leaders in this district.”

It also speaks to why the process of closing a school and transforming it into a shelter to protect our families goes as smoothly as it does.

Let’s rewind a bit, to making the decision of when to close schools, and how many to use for shelters.

Making the decision to close schools is not an easy one. It’s also not a decision made quickly or in isolation. Hillsborough County’s Emergency Operations Center decides it needs to open shelters, and the school district follows its orders.

Once the superintendent notifies principals of the decision, Norgard says the first thing a principal does is tell their teachers. She wants them to have the opportunity to clear out their classrooms and take home anything of value. After that, it’s all hands-on deck to help clear out the spaces where evacuees will be housed.

That doesn’t just consist of moving desks and locking cabinets. Many teachers, as they typically do, go above and beyond. For Hurricane Ian, they created messages and murals to make the evacuating families feel at home. They left markers, blocks and books so the kids would be entertained.

Holly Holliday is a kindergarten teacher at Sessums, and she created a lovely mural for the evacuees that read, “We are stronger than the storm.” After the storm passed, when she returned to her classroom, she found a stack of notes, thanking her for her thoughtfulness.

“When I came in and saw those notes, it was just very heartwarming,” Holliday says. “It made all the work of preparing for them to be here worth it just knowing they had a safe place to be. They wrote that they were comforted and felt safe.”

After Ian passed, school communities came together to return the school to the way it was, as well as clean up any damage that the hurricane had caused.

“As soon as everyone was out, we had to deepclean the rooms where people stayed,” Norgard says. “Our custodial staff, along with help from the head custodian from Riverview Elementary did that. There was an intense focus on the specific rooms used by the evacuees, so the teachers could come in Friday and begin the tremendous lift of resetting their classrooms.”

Thanks to the teamwork of our schools, staff and community partners, every one of our schools was ready to reopen the Monday after the hurricane hit.

Not only that, but our operations crews knew they had to help our friends to the south. Dozens of our staff volunteered to caravan to Lee County to help schools repair some of the damage the hurricane caused.

Looks like Ms. Holliday was right. When we work together, Hillsborough County Public Schools IS stronger than the storm.

i am stronger than any storm

PEPIN ACADEMIES | pepinacademies.com 3916 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa 33610; 813-236-1755 9304 Camden Field Parkway, Riverview 33578; 813-533-2999 7710 Osteen Road, New Port Richey 34653; 727-233-2961

Pepin Academies are non-profit, tuition-free, independent public charter schools serving students with learning and learning-related disabilities. Qualified as Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Center schools, we provide a diversified curriculum driven by the student’s needs in a positive educational environment, as well as a transitional job training program for post-high school students who choose to defer receipt of their diploma.

PINELLAS PREPARATORY ACADEMY 2300 S. Belcher Road, Largo 33771 727-536-3600; pinellasprep.org

Pinellas Preparatory Academy is a high performing, "A" rated, tuition free K-8 public charter school. Besides our strong academics, you will find a culture of strong character and community. The school focuses on developing the talents of each student, while emphasizing high academic standards.

PROGRESS VILLAGE MIDDLE MAGNET

(VISUAL, PERFORMING AND COMMUNICATION ARTS)

8113 Zinnia Drive, Tampa 33619 813-671-5110; hillsboroughschools.org/progressvillage

We are proud to offer the largest dance and culinary arts programs in Hillsborough County. We're routinely recognized as a Magnet School of America national award winner and show our craft to organizations and events around the district. Students can try exciting electives such as Costume and Fashion Design, orchestra, journalism and more. The spotlight shines on students at Progress Village.

RAMPELLO K-8 MAGNET (CULTURAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES )

802 E. Washington St., Tampa 33602 813-233-2333; hillsboroughschools.org/rampello

Join us for experiential learning with walking field trips through downtown Tampa, and a differentiated instruction focus to meet the needs of all learners. We have strong community partnerships and school-wide AVID instructional strategies. Middle school electives include: Band/Jazz/Orchestra/Steel Drums, Art 2-D and 3-D, Spanish and Creative Writing.

RIVERHILLS ELEMENTARY MAGNET (IB)

405 Riverhills Drive, Temple Terrace 33617 813-987-6911; hillsboroughschools.org/riverhills

Located on the Hillsborough River, with all the science potential and experiment potential that implies, we prepare students to meet the challenges of world citizenship with confidence, imagination and integrity. Students can study global cultures and develop an open and curious mind. Students engage in music and arts programs, Odyssey of the Mind, Robotics Team, Inquiry-based learning centers, student action/service learning, world languages and more.

RIVERVIEW ACADEMY OF MATH & SCIENCE 9906 Symmes Road, Riverview 33578 813-412-6111; riverviewacademy.com

The tuition-free, public charter school proudly serves students from kindergarten through middle school with a well-rounded college preparatory education. The rigorous curriculum includes a special concentration on math and science, a technology-rich atmosphere, and a focus on character development. Offerings include the Cambridge program for Advanced Studies, Edvantage before and after school program, Tampa Bay’s Grasses in Classes Program and Cognia accreditation.

RODGERS MIDDLE MAGNET (CAMBRIDGE CANDIDATE)

11910 Tucker Road, Riverview 33569 813-671-5288; hillsboroughschools.org/rodgers

Rodgers, an authorized Cambridge International Magnet School, offers learning guided by the rigorous, world renowned Cambridge Pathways philosophy. Located in Riverview's Bell Creek Nature Preserve, we embrace and empower the whole student. Several National Board-Certified Teachers highlight our exceptional team of educators. Ask us about our Cambridge Honors Institute if you choose to apply! Enrollment: 1,200+ students between three campuses Class-Size: 13:2 Grades: 3-12 and a Transition Program for ages 18-22 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 800 Class-Size: K-3 18, 4-8 22 Grades: K-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 824 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 766 Grades: K-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 507 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE

Grades: K-9 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 1,155 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

ROLAND PARK K-8 MAGNET (IB)

1510 N. Manhattan Ave., Tampa 33607 813-872-5212; hillsboroughschools.org/rolandpark

We inspire young inquiring minds to become compassionate, lifelong learners and internationally-minded people with respect for various cultures and a desire to serve others. Students can experience inquiry-based learning centers, transdisciplinary units of study, an outdoor classroom with an international garden, a strings program and world languages. Enrollment: 806 Grades: K-8 Tuition: FREE

SAFETY HARBOR MONTESSORI ACADEMY 2669 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 34653 727-724-1767; safetyharbormontessori.com

Safety Harbor Montessori Academy is a learning community whose primary goal is to help students reach their full potential in all aspects of their development, in a loving, respectful atmosphere. We have programs for children ages 2 through 14, providing continuity from early childhood to adolescence. Enrollment: 170 Class-Size: 12-24 Grades: Ages 2-grade 8 Tuition: $10,100-$16,950

SEFFNER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 11605 E. U.S. HWY 92, Seffner 33584 813-626-0001; scacrusaders.com

Seffner Christian Academy is a distinctly Christian learning community for students in preschool - 12th grade. We are committed to developing well-rounded, Gospel-driven students who are prepared for life. Please contact our Admissions department to schedule a time for you to experience the SCA difference! Enrollment: 771 Class-Size: average 22 Grades: PreK2-12 Tuition: $9,500-$12,000

SHORE ELEMENTARY MAGNET

(VISUAL, PERFORMING AND COMMUNICATION ARTS)

1908 2nd Ave., Tampa 33605 813-276-5712; hillsboroughschools.org/shore

We are an award-winning Magnet School of the Arts located in historic Ybor City. Students learn through arts and science integration and can take part in the Annual Arts Festival and school musical. Students expand their horizons through visual art, dance, strings, music, drama, STEAM Engineering and robotics programs. Our partnership with the Straz Performing Arts Center brings Broadway to our students--something you will find at no other school!

SHORECREST PREPARATORY SCHOOL 5101 1st St. NE., St. Petersburg 33703 727-522-2111; shorecrest.org

Founded in 1923, Shorecrest is a coed, nonsectarian, PK3-12 independent school in St. Petersburg, FL. In a safe, student-centered environment, Shorecrest educates a diverse community of students to become lifelong learners in the pursuit of personal and academic excellence, physical well-being, creative achievement and the development of a commitment to social responsibility. Enrollment: 373 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 1,056 Class-Size: 16 Grades: PreK3-12 Tuition: $13,430-$29,600

SIMMONS CAREER ACCELERATION ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL 1202 W. Grant St., Plant City 33563 813-707-7430; hillsboroughschools.org/simmons

Simmons Career Acceleration Academy High School in Plant City serves students 9-12, providing a school culture focused on academic achievement, personal growth, and preparing students for a successful future after high school. Students experience a hybrid learning approach, career preparation through industry certifications, and a streamlined path to graduation. Students can take part in athletics and extracurricular activities at their zoned school.

SKYCREST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 129 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater 33765 727-797-1186; skycrestchristianschool.org

Skycrest Christian School provides a 21st century education that enables your children to enter their high school years with outstanding academic preparation, leadership skills and confidence in their ability to succeed. Skycrest offers newly integrated technology, extensive extracurricular activities, and dedicated and caring teachers. Enrollment: 143 Grades: 9-12 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 550 Class-Size: 18-25 Grades: K4-grade 8 Tuition: K4-4th: $12,500, 5th-8th: $12,850