This was not a typical morning for kids here at University Terrace Elementary School.
“It’s like a dream come true. My goal each day is to see these children smile and to see that was like a blessing for me today,” said Pamela Marshall, the principal of University Terrace Elementary School.
Marshall said this past month has been a struggle for the school and particularly the students, after some of their homes were severely damaged by the flooding.
“We’ve had counseling. We have our art projects, where they can express themselves through art. We have discussions in the classrooms, as well as that of listening to their stories and letting them express themselves positively,” said Marshall.
The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education Dr. John B. King Jr. stopped by as part of the Opportunity Across America Bus Tour and announced our state will receive a $1.5 million grant to go toward helping school districts severely affected by the flood. .
“You know, there’s no way to make up for the loss of life and loss of property and the suffering that folks have been through, but we don’t want to try to be as supportive in the recovery, as supportive as we can be. As for the education department, this is one way we can help ensure that the state can support schools through the recovery,” said King.
Secretary King also got some help from Yoobi. The organization brought a year supply of school supplies to give back.
“That’s what it’s all about, the look on the kids’ faces, you know, when you see the look as well on the teachers faces, when they know they’re going to be having all the school supplies they need for the year. That’s priceless,” said Justin Wolff, the giving director of Yoobi.
“It was absolutely wonderful because these are things that excite the children. So, anything that excites them is a blessing,” concluded Marshall.
Also, as part of the Opportunity Across America Tour, the Secretary also made a stop at LSU.
Dozens of people gathered at the Digital Media Center Auditorium on campus, as the Secretary King talked about college completion. King said across the country high school and college completion rates are on the rise.