Centre USD back in session after 23 days years ago
Centre schools had the longest Christmas vacation this year that they ever have had.
Students and teachers returned to classrooms Thursday after 23 days.
"It was almost festive the first day back," said Superintendent Jerri Kemble. "Everyone was so excited."
Dan Shaw, a reporter for KWCH Channel 12, Wichita, visited the district that day and talked to teachers and students.
"It just feels like we've been gone for a very long time," said music teacher Lynley Remy.
"I missed the kids," said kindergarten teacher Karen Nickel. "I missed my classroom. I missed the routine."
The taped segment was aired on the evening news.
Electric power that was knocked out by the major ice storm that hit the area overnight Dec. 10 was restored Dec. 19, a couple of days before Christmas break was scheduled to begin and after the board of education had decided to cancel school until after the holidays.
Kemble said communication was completely wiped out for a while. There were no phones, no cell transmissions, no radio, and no TV.
When phone service was restored, Kemble communicated with students and parents using a newly established hot line.
There also were concerns about children waiting for school buses near downed power lines. In addition, diesel-powered buses needed to be plugged in overnight in order to start the next morning.
Custodians drained water pipes at the two schools. A frozen pipe at the transportation building burst and had to be repaired.
When the electricity was restored and water was flowing once again, it had to be tested before anyone could use it. Testing was completed Dec. 28.
Some food from the schools' kitchens was donated to the emergency shelter at Lincolnville, and some was discarded.
Freezers now have been restocked, so school lunches are back to normal.
Basketball teams are scrambling to make up seven canceled games. They resumed practice Dec. 28.
This week alone, the first full week of school after the break, high school teams are playing four games, including makeup games Monday against Word of Life, Wichita, and Saturday against Northern Heights from the pre-season Herington tournament.
Teachers are glad to be back in the routine again, Kemble said. One student may have spoken for many when she said, "I'll never wish for another snow day again."
