By Marlisa Harding
mharding@americanpress.com
Students and staff in Cameron Parish recently returned to campus after hurricane related closures. Cameron Parish’s four schools experienced additional damage after Hurricane Delta including roof damage, temporary roof failures and water intrusion leading to extended closures.
Johnson Bayou High School was the first campus to completely re-open with staff and students returning last week. Grand Lake Elementary School followed, opening for staff last week and students on Monday.
South Cameron High School teachers and students are temporarily sharing facilities with Grand Lake. South Cameron High School is expected to re-open on Dec. 1, Charley Lemons, superintendent, said.
“Our architects are now working with engineers on the design of the temporary stairwells. That design will then be submitted to the fire marshal for approval. Construction of the stairwells will take approximately three weeks from the start date,” he said.
South Cameron’s prekindergarten through third grade teachers returned last week and welcomed students Monday at Grand Lake. Grand Lake High School’s seventh through 12th grade and South Cameron’s fourth through 12th grade teachers will return to campus Monday and Wednesday with students returning Thursday.
Hackberry High School’s elementary staff also returned last week with students returning earlier this week. Hackberry High School’s sixth through 12th grade students have two options for education at this time due to extended closures.
Students can continue with virtual education until the campus re-opens tentatively “at the end of November or beginning of December,” Lemons, said. Beginning on Nov. 4, the district will begin running a daily bus from Hackberry High School to Johnson Bayou High School for any student wanting face to face instruction instead of the online option.
Like South Cameron and Grand Lake, “The students choosing option two will be with their respective teachers from Hackberry High School at Johnson Bayou High School,” Lemons said. Families interested in the busing option should contact Paulette Campbell, Hackberry assistant principal.
A meal pickup program has been implemented for students not attending face to face. For questions regarding the meal program, email holly_castile@camsch.org.