The contributions that have poured in, including a pallet of supplies donated through Office Supply of Gloucester, has helped stabilize the need for paper, pens and notebooks for the displaced Page Middle School students now sharing Peasley Middle School. Page was partially destroyed by the April 16 tornado and salvage and cleanup efforts are ongoing at the site.

"All of the donations have been wonderful," said Gloucester Public Schools assistant superintendent John Hutchinson. He said the Page children are now well supplied and anything extra that has been or will be donated to help with their relocation is being stored for future use.

"This year and going into next year the need for materials will continue," Hutchinson said, although no decision has been made as to where the Page students will attend school for the 2011-2012 school year. The county school board was set to meet yesterday to tour what remains of the Page campus before discussing how best to house the students in the fall.

Hutchinson said the Page students and their teachers can benefit most from donations to the Gloucester Educational Foundation, which is tax-exempt. "That will allow us to give the teachers money to go out and get what they need. That way, they can obtain the resources they are used to having to meet the curriculum," said Hutchinson.

Peasley students are now attending school a little earlier and leaving at 12:45 p.m. The Page students attend Peasley in the afternoon until 6:30 p.m. "It’s been tough on a lot of folks," said Hutchinson, "but the bottom line is, for 34 days we can make this happen." He said several local churches have offered options for child care in support of working parents.

To view this article in its entirety, subscribe here. Already an online subscriber? Login Here