Betsy's Bits
September 17, 2018
Before it all started...
In Case You Missed It:
SanLee Shelter opened at 8pm on Wednesday and closed at 10:00 am on Sunday. This was a local shelter manned and run by local people; Lee County Dept of Social Services and Health Department, and secured by our Sheriff's Department - mainly SRO's. The Sheriff sent mattress from the jail when we ran out of cots. Christian United Outreach Center, CUOC, sent two large truck loads of food for the shelter. We were supposed to hold around 160 people. Thursday, as our numbers began to rise over 100, we made a determination that we would begin setting up in hallways to keep all those needing shelter from the storm in one place and not open somewhere possibly without power. When SLMS was built, the county put in a generator to ensure Lee County had somewhere in the county for a shelter. SanLee is the only school in the district with a generator. The generator keeps the front office, cafeteria, gym, media center, and 300 hallway with power.
I want to thank the following SLMS staff for helping at the shelter: Monica Hawes, Alice McIver, Freddie Atkins, Joy Wilson, Chris Novak, and Dennis Duke. I also appreciate Pam Bass for coming into show me how to operate everything in the kitchen. We also had multiple LCS employees volunteer to come in and help. The principals from Bullock and Bragg Street did come in on Saturday and Sunday. I say all this to share that this was a group effort. I am so proud to live and work in Lee County!
Most of our school family have weathered the initial storm alright. I have not heard of anyone with significant damage at this time. Malisa Anderson lives in Cumberland Co in the 1 mi radius that had a mandatory evacuation yesterday. She and her daughters are staying with friends. The rising waters of area rivers and lakes are causing concern for several. Please keep them in your prayers in the coming days.
Allison Hickman's room 134 is the only one that suffered any significant damage. It looks as if a lot of water came through the ceiling. A three shelf cabinet (no doors) that was hanging on the wall was destroyed. Her counters are warped in spots and molding on the counters came off. We also had some water come in the media center. I walked around the building today and noted all the wet ceiling tiles(rooms 134, media center, media office, rooms 306, 307, and 300 hallway). For the most part, we fared very well. Please let me know if I missed anything. Maintenance will begin repairs from storm damage immediately.
We know that we have a big ant problem. They are looking for dry land. Make sure you keep food in secure containers, clean up any crumbs/spills immediately, and throw away food trash. I would also encourage you to not allow students to eat in your classrooms- I am not prohibiting this, but if you do, you must have kids clean up and wipe down areas regularly. Please report specific issues to custodians. The pest management person was here until 7pm on Wednesday treating specifically for ants.
If you did not receive text messages concerning the shelter, closings, and delays, you have not joined our REMIND text. Please text @slmsstaf to 81010 - see me if you're having problems.
Whatever it takes...
Mark your calendars:
Schedule Changes:
Thursday's Mid-term Progress report date - rescheduled after we know when kids will be back
Friday's Fall pictures are being rescheduled - date TBDFriday's Dance is being moved to Friday, Sept 28
*We will deal with everything one day at a time this week. Please just make sure to check emails and text messages for updates.