MCDOWELL COUNTY, W.Va. – Students in McDowell County will head back to the classroom on a two hour delay on Monday as they continue to try and return to a sense of normalcy after dealing with severe flooding.
“Our counselors will be checking in with students and offering them support if needed and making some long term or short term plans for them to come and see the counselors as they get through school,” said Dr. Ingrida Barker, superintendent for McDowell County Schools.
Dr. Barker says they’ll be taking things slow on Monday as a way to make sure students are doing okay not just physically but mentally.
“Our teachers are focusing in their classes because we will have classes on Monday but they will focus mostly on just making sure the students feel comfortable,” said Dr. Barker.
Dr. Barker says faculty have been meeting with students throughout the week to help ease any anxiety.
“That was pretty much the biggest reason, to see what we need not only for us to reconnect but also to see what are the needs. What do we need to be prepared to provide for our students when they are back in schools,” said Dr. Barker.
She adds that her office has had to re-evaluate bus routes and create new stops that avoid dangerous roadways that are still in the process of being repaired by the state.
“For the last two days the bus drivers are reaching out to families, the principals are reaching out to the families telling them these are the new bus routes can you get there? If you cannot what options can we create for you to get to school,” said Dr. Barker.
Dr. Barker says paperwork has been submitted at the state level to try and keep McDowell County’s last day of school as June 6. She’s anticipating the state will approve the county’s request.
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