During Seaford’s first board of education meeting Thursday night since Superstorm Sandy struck in late October, district leaders praised the work of its faculty, parents, students and community organizations for their hard work getting schools back in session following the epic natural disaster.
The re-opening of Seaford’s schools began a week after the Oct. 29 storm with students from the then powerless Seaford Harbor School being moved to Seaford Manor School before returning to full operation on Nov. 13. Superintendent Brian Conboy said during Thursday’s school board meeting that parents, staff and students from both elementary schools handled the temporary merger well and he received great feedback in the days following.
“I don’ think I ever could have envisioned the situation that we’ve been in the last 18 or so days,” said Conboy during his administrative report at Thursday’s night’s school board meeting held at Seaford Harbor School. “We were in it together and we survived it together and we will continue to move forward together.”
John Striffolino, Seaford’s assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and personnel, explained how teachers from both elementary schools worked tirelessly leading up to the re-opening by making name tags for all students.
“It was an amazing site to see with the cooperation of everyone pitching in,” Striffolino said. “I am very proud to be a part of this community.”
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Brian Fagan, president of the Seaford Board o Education, also applauded the efforts of everyone involved in the aftermath of the storm including those who helped the trustees set up a warming center in the high school during the weekend of Nov. 2-3. Fagan said while the process of getting schools back into operation went smooth, the district’s emergency procedures will be discussed next month to see if there are ways to enhance them in future storms.
Seaford Interim Assistant Superintendent for Business Alan Phillips said he met with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Thursday about efforts to get the district money for any storm-related funds.
“As we begin to rebuild our lives and our homes, we will never forget how the community came together as one and helped each other,” said Seaford Harbor School PTA President Deanine Nagengast in a prepared statement during Thursday’s school board meeting. “The outpouring of support is nothing short of an outstanding effort by all. We are so proud to a part of a wonderful caring community such as Seaford.”
