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| ~ Submitted by Scott R. Chapman, Chairman Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee The Regional School Committee announced on Sept. 2 that the district will "open up the doors" of our schools to any school-age relative of the citizens of Hampden and Wilbraham who reside in the affected areas of Hurricane Katrina and are now unable to attend school. Those relatives who seek refuge or send their children to family members or friends located here in Hampden and Wilbraham will have the ability to enroll in our school district on a temporary basis. Under federal law, commonly known as the "McKinney-Vento Act," these students would qualify as homeless students and would be eligible to attend our schools should they come to our towns for refuge. Under the direction of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education, admission will not be delayed for lack of records, but will be expedited. While these students qualify for enrollment under federal law, the School Committee and the Superintendent know that we also have an ethical duty to these children whose lives have been disrupted by one of this nation's greatest natural disasters. These children's world as they know it is gone. Part of any child's daily living is attending school. If we can assist in offering that piece of normalcy to children in the affected states who have ties to local families in Hampden and Wilbraham, we welcome that responsibility. Our district has made our intentions public and in doing so we are hoping that other school districts will, if they have the ability, follow our lead. Citizens of Hampden and Wilbraham who may have school age relatives who could benefit from this plan should contact the office of the Superintendent of Schools at 596-3884. |