"Total Loss"

Matt and I were up most of the night on Tuesday night watching the weather. After he left for work, I turned the television back on and there was report of a possible tornado hitting Oakman Elementary. So, school was cancelled for that day. I never dreamed in a million years that the school would look like it did. I received a phone call from the automated service from Dr. Willingham, that the school received substantial damage and that there would be no school for the remainder of the week. Well, that has turned into NO SCHOOL UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS!!!!

The structural engineer that came to inspect the school said that the structure was no longer safe for the students. Vonda Beaty, the superintendent said she hopes to be able to build a new school, but said the first order of business is creating a temporary campus using modular buildings that she said should be be up-and-running by January. “We’ll make every effort to get it declared a total loss,” Beatty said. “Hopefully we can secure a new school in that area because they deserve one.” I have to agree



Nate's teacher, Mrs. Norris called last night and said that they went in on Wednesday and worked really hard to try and get things cleaned up and when they left that afternoon, things were looking better. But they went in yesterday morning and the entire school was flooded again. The plastic on the roof was just no match for all the rain we received the night before. She said that she and Mrs. Watson were able to salvage most of their things. But Mrs. Sanford lost everything. She said with the help from me and a couple other mothers we would try and make the new room look as much like the old one as possible.


I have to say, Oakman is a wonderful school. The teachers there are great. And Dr. Willingham is an awesome principal. Nate loves it. I took him by the school Wednesday to see the damage and he cried and cried. He was just devastated. I didn't think it would have that effect on him. But that's HIS school and he loves it there. He was so upset about not getting to see his teacher and his friends. But when Mrs. Norris called last night, she said that she missed Nate so much and asked to talk to him. She told him that he would have a long CHRISTmas break. She said, " Enjoy the time with your family and when school starts back in January we will have a new classroom". She told him that she loves and misses him so much. And when they go back they will have their CHRISTmas party and program. Mrs Norris is such an awesome teacher. We had a few problems when school started but I have to say that she has made such a difference in Nate. He loves her so much.

Dr. Willingham showing the damage

The baseball fields behind the school

(The bleachers and press box at the football field were also destroyed)