Today’s Friday Five topic: Lending a Helping Hand

Now that the worst of Hurricane Irma is over much of the real work begins. Everywhere we look across Florida, we see people–sometimes even total strangers–helping each other.

Traditional public schools all over the Sunshine State opened up their doors to serve as shelters, welcoming people from nearby neighborhoods or far away. These shelters were staffed by local public school employees and various volunteers, and for once it seemed as if our school districts were getting positive press. I don’t think there’s ever been a time I’ve been more grateful and proud to be a public school teacher.

Here in Hillsborough County, for instance, we housed 29,000 evacuees at 40 shelters staffed by approximately 1,200 employees. And while that was an impressive feat, we also lost Lee Elementary to a fire and those students and staff will be moved to Lockhart Elementary. If you are local and available today, please come down to Lockhart to help from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.