GEN: Grand Forks update

["Wolfgram, Linda" <LWolfgram@BENTON.K12.IA.US>]

Hello again!  I know many of you are concerned about the people in Grand
Forks as they recover from the flood of '97.  As a result of a KidsConnect
question (the power of KidsConnect is hitting close to home now), I made
some contacts today and will share with all of you the information I
received in order to keep you updated.

School has been canceled for the year, as you may have heard on the news.
They are trying to set up some sort of school at the Air Force Base, so I
called out there and talked to Sharon Gates, who is the principal at Lake
Agassiz Elementary.  Here is what she told me:

Schools particularly badly hit are:  Lincoln Elementary (not sure if they
will be able to rebuild); Belmont Elementary, West Elementary, Viking
Elementary, Lewis & Clark Elementary, and Central High School.  They have
not even been able to get into most of these buildings yet to see how bad
the damage is.  Cleanup efforts will not be able to begin until water is
restored to the city, which may be two or three weeks.

The superintendent of the Grand Forks schools estimates a loss of $2.5
million in media and technology alone.  Cash donations can be sent to:
Grand Forks Public Schools, Attn:  Dean Kreitinger, P.O. Box 6000, Grand
Forks, ND  58201.

Sharon said that cash donations are ideal; they are easiest to handle by the
people in the school district.  If, however, you are in a position to donate
items such as books, etc., please contact me directly and I will do what I
can to give you contact information.  I have some friends who are media
specialists in the district, and Sharon thought that direct connections
might be best for donations of library materials.  I have also heard from a
few other LM_NETters who have personal contacts, so hopefully we can work
together to see that the help gets to where it is needed.

We also should keep in mind that Grand Forks was not the only city hit by
this flood.  East Grand Forks, Minnesota, directly across the river from
Grand Forks, suffered as bad or worse than GF, and many of the small towns
along the river have had damage as well.  The cresting river is now on its
way to Canada and will soon wind its way through Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Please
keep the people there in our thoughts and prayers as well.

I know all the flood victims appreciate the outpouring of love and support
they have received.  Again, if you have more questions or would like to find
out how you can help, I would be happy to provide what information I can.

Linda


Linda Wolfgram, Media Specialist        lwolfgram@benton.k12.ia.us
Benton Community Middle/High School
Van Horne, Iowa                         AASL KidsConnect Volunteer