KEY LARGO, FLA. (WSVN) - Some students in Monroe County headed back to school, Monday morning, more than two weeks after Hurricane Irma slammed into the Keys.
At 8:30 a.m., classes resumed at Key Largo School, Plantation Key School, Coral Shores High School, Ocean Studies Charter and Montessori Island Charter.
7News cameras captured school buses pulling into a school and students walking out shortly after,
Officials made the decision to reopen these schools after assessing all schools in the district.
“A lot of trees down, our fences are down,” said Key Largo School Principal Laura Lietaert. “We had a little bit of water blowing under the back doors, but for the most part we’re good. Few small leaks here and there, but nothing that will prevent us from getting kids back in school. It’s safe for them to come, and we’re anxious for them to get here.”
The principal, teachers and staff at Key Largo School are excited to welcome students back to class. “We’re sending them to the cafeteria ’cause everybody gets to eat free breakfast and lunch in Monroe County until October 20th,” said Lietaert, “so we just want to make sure everybody gets fed, and then we can get them into class.”
“It’s really important to get things, you know, back to normal,” Lietaert added, “to get the kids here so that they get their day back to a regular schedule – help the parents get back on their feet.”
7News spoke with one parent who said many people in her neighborhood don’t have power, so children are happy to be back learning and socializing with friends.
“I think it’s good for the kids, because being home with all this destruction, it just makes it more sad for them, because they have no cable, no TV, and they’re really sad,” said parent Alina Martinez. “My son was really sad yesterday and was like, ‘Mom, there’s nothing to do. There’s no kids to play around with.’ So I love it that they opened it up, because like that, they’re back into school”
Most of the people on the island are trying to get back to their routine after Hurricane Irma devastated the Keys.
Prior to opening their doors Monday, staff at Key Largo School were already hard at work – helping each other.
“We’ve been to about 20 houses so far for our staff and helped clean up their yards,” said Lietaert. “We’ve cut out drywall, we’ve dragged debris to the street, trying to get them back on their feet ’cause we know we have to take care of each other first so that we can take care of our kids.”
As residents and business owners, the people of the Keys are ready for a fresh start as they slowly rebuild their lives, livelihoods and economy.
“We’re so excited to see the kids on Monday,” said Lietaert. “We just can’t wait to get them back here and see their smiling faces and find out how they’ve been.”
Schools in Key West and Marathon will be reopening on Wednesday.
Two schools in the hardest hit areas, including Big Pine Key, will reopen Oct. 2. However, the children in those areas will be allowed to attend any of the open Monroe County Schools.
Transportation services will be restored as well but will require flexibility and modification of prior routes and timing.
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