Oklahoma's Moore Public Schools Reopen For 2013/2014 School Year
Opening Ceremonies for teachers hosted Monday, August 12
First day of classes for students is Friday, August 16
After May tornado, rebuilding efforts continue with support from community, national organizations
MOORE, Okla., Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Moore Public Schools opened for the 2013/2014 school year on Monday, 84 days after an EF5 tornado destroyed Briarwood and Plaza Towers Elementary schools and damaged several other school and administrative buildings.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines welcomed teachers back to school on Monday at Opening Ceremonies, hosted at Westmoore High School. Classes resume for students on Friday, August 16.
"Our community is resilient and we look forward to the beginning of a new school year, a fresh start for Moore Public Schools," said Dr. Romines. "We appreciate the support and understanding from teachers, students, parents and the community as we make temporary arrangements during the rebuilding process. The best way for all of us to continue healing is to get back to the important work of educating our youth."
Supporting the Moore Public Schools Recovery Efforts
Hours after the tornado hit on May 20, Moore Public Schools received an outpouring of support from around the world. Many of the organizations that responded over the summer attended Monday's opening ceremonies to show support for Moore teachers.
DonorsChoose.org, a national nonprofit website where teachers can request the materials they need most for their classrooms, raised $930,000 for the Moore recovery efforts and has already delivered nearly $700,000 in supplies to start the school year.
"Our donors leapt to support the Moore community," said Charles Best, CEO and founder of DonorsChoose.org. "Teacher volunteers, including several who were affected by the tornadoes that struck Joplin, Missouri, have joined us to help Moore teachers determine their classroom needs and lend a helping hand."
Classroom supplies delivered by DonorsChoose.org included books, furniture, classroom technology, and educational materials that help children express their emotions. Additional classroom projects in need of funding are featured at http://www.donorschoose.org/okschools.
Burlington, the national off price retailer, upon learning of the devastation, quickly championed a collection effort at all of its 500 locations across the country to raise funds to benefit DonorsChoose.org in an effort to rebuild the schools in Moore. As a result, Burlington and its customers raised close to $275,000 for this effort. A majority of this donation will fund Promethean interactive whiteboard systems in 60 of the damaged classrooms. The remaining contributions will fund special teacher-submitted projects to DonorsChoose.org to mark the 100th Day of School initiative that will take place later this year.
"This natural disaster affected many Burlington associates and customers within the local community. We reacted swiftly and our customers and associates across the country responded generously to join us in helping to rebuild the schools in Moore, Oklahoma. They have demonstrated remarkable compassion and generosity, and we are thrilled that this donation has been made possible," said Thomas Kingsbury, president and chief executive officer of Burlington.
Classes Resume Friday
The first day of school for students is Friday, August 16. Students and personnel at the following facilities have been relocated:
- Plaza Towers Elementary has been relocated to Central Jr. High at 400 N. Broadway, Moore, Okla. 73160.
- Briarwood Elementary has been relocated to Emmaus Baptist Church at 16001 S. Western, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73170.
- Moore Public Schools Administration has been relocated to Greentree Plaza at 1901 North Moore Ave., Moore, Okla. 73160.
- Special Services has been relocated to Southgate/Rippetoe Center at 500 N. Norman Ave., Moore, Okla. 73160.
For more information about Moore Public Schools, visit www.mooreschools.com. Moore Public Schools continue to accept donations at fundly.com/moorepublicschools.
Press Contact
Chris Pearsall
[email protected]
(203) 631-2444
SOURCE DonorsChoose.org
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