Schools attempt to keep sense of normalcy after tornado

Date: 6/14/2011

June 13, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

WILBRAHAM — As the town attempts to regain a state of normalcy in the wake of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through the Pioneer Valley on June 1, the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District has helped lead the way by providing what Superintendent M. Martin O'Shea called "a safe and stable place for children."

Schools in Wilbraham were closed on June 2 and 3 following the storm that produced the ravaging whirlwind, but in an effort to maintain a sense of regularity, the district still had its graduation at Springfield's Symphony Hall on June 3 and reopened the schools on June 6.

"We know from other cities and towns that have experienced trauma that opening the schools is an important part of the return to normalcy," O'Shea said. "It's important to show that the community can come together on behalf of the kids."

Town and district officials conducted lengthy investigations and discussions as they worked feverishly to decide whether or not the schools were safe to return to.

"Our first order of business was to determine if we could bring the students in safely," O'Shea said. "It required an extraordinary level of communication and cooperation between the Wilbraham Board of Selectmen, the Wilbraham Police Department and Fire Department, the Department of Public Works and the schools."

O'Shea added that another focus of the district's discussions was making sure that there was a support system in place for students who may have been traumatized by the events of the previous week.

"On the morning of [June 6], we had district and school based crisis teams assembled," he said. "We needed to identify the neighborhoods and students, as well as teachers, that were affected by the tornado. We needed to determine how we could assist kids who were dealing with trauma, anxiety or concern about the tornado."

Adding support to the efforts of the schools' adjustment counselors, the district also gave teachers activities to run during morning classes in order to prompt dialogue with students about the effects the tornado has had on them, O'Shea said.

Additional resources regarding children and dealing with trauma have been made available on the district's Web site, www.hwrsd.org.

He admitted that while the district does have emergency policies, the tornado presented significant challenges.

"We do have strict emergency management procedures, but it's difficult to prepare for something like this," he said. "We had serious communication and transportation challenges, as well as educational challenges because we had to determine how to handle this without disrupting the learning process as much as possible."

The Massachusetts Department of Education recently informed O'Shea that students will not be required to make up the two days missed because of the tornado.

Luckily for the district, none of the schools was subject to any significant damage. according to O'Shea, Only one window was blown out at Minnechaug Regional High School, whose back entrance is on Tinkham Road, which sustained extensive damage to trees and property.

The construction site for the new Minnechaug was also relatively undisturbed.

While Building Inspector Lance Trevallion was not available for comment when his office was contacted by Reminder Publications, the Building Department continuously updated town residents via Facebook and the town's Web site.

Trevallion announced in a release on June 8 that damage to property ranged anywhere from minor to total loss and 13 of the 234 homes the department inspected were condemned.

Trevallion outlined the three-level grading system the town has used in determining whether a home is habitable, which are indicated by color.

After a home is inspected a colored placard is placed on the property. A green placard states the building is suitable to occupy. A yellow placard means to use caution and to follow the notes on the placard to ensure the safety of the property. A red placard indicates a building is not fit for occupancy.

Trevallion also warned that National Grid will not be restoring power to homes that were disconnected during the storm and will not repair any electrical damages inside one's home. A licensed electrician must be obtained to assess the damage and do any necessary work.

The electrician must submit and electrical permit application and request an inspection from the town's electrical inspector.

Anyone with any questions regarding electrical issues or building standards and practices during a weather emergency should call the building department at 596-2800 ext. 204.

Further information regarding hiring bonafide contractors, tree and brush removal and missing and found pets can be found at www.wilbraham-ma.gov.