are these children going to be able to complete there school year... i hope so

Congrats on going back to school! It makes a huge difference. We (Jackson County, MS) were out for over a month. Going back was great--for students and teachers! Good luck!

We just returned from Waveland/Bay St. Louis from FL and talked to a teen who has a lot of time and freedom on his hands. That is not a good thing, from the things he told us he is doing. These kids are stressed and need a positive place to hang out. I would like to get a community center (tent) with video games and music for teens. We saw a huge need for teens, they are falling through the cracks! The adults are overwhelmed just getting through the day!

If you get a center for the teens, we would like to help get you some music. Let us know if we can be of help.

Perhaps you won't approve my comments; I am putting them here because your site chronicling the "portables" was closed. (Temporary schoolrooms, which Alaska uses any time the need arises.)

I am a substitute teacher in Anchorage, AK. Before I relocated here, I "subbed" in the Harrison County school district. As I view the monumental discrepancies between school districts, I am moved to comment that receiving books, materials and even classrooms from out of state is a GOOD thing, since Mississippi had vidrtually nothing before these disasters. The teachers here (in Anchorage) are deciding whether or not to go on strike because their health insurance benefits aren't as good as they could be. Mississippi has NO health insurance benefits.

In the classroom, the discrepancies are greatest. Here, the classrooms are full of every kind of book, toy and machine that could possibly help a student to excel. In Mississippi, pencils and papers had to be supplied, not by the school district, but by the TEACHER, even the substitute, who made less per day (under $50) than the cost of outfitting her "sub pack," so that she would have all that was necessary for the average school day.

People in Mississippi have, for decades now, elected to endow their private schools, not their public ones. It's sad to say that this (Katrina) is probably the best thing that ever happened to public education in Harrison and Hancock counties,

...Yeah, it's so important for teens to have video games. I guess helping the cleanup would probably kill them, right?

I am glad to see things are starting to return to normal in Hancock County. We have moved to put our children in school immediately after the storm. I was wondering when the remainder of students would return back. It does concern me that so many teens were out of school for so long. Is Hancock County going to make these students attend school throughout the summer to make up work?

I grew up in Waveland and remember vividly how things were after Camille, Waveland Elementary had trailers for classrooms for years. I am thrilled to see the Bay-Waveland area has not lost it's drive and believe that it will recover from Katrina just as it did from Camille.

Mississippi Teachers do have health benefits. They have the same as any state employee. In our school district the majority of the supplies are furnished by the parents. This includes everything from pencils to tissue

I live in Waveland. I have two children that worked with me non-stop for seven days after the storm. They helped throw everything they owened to the curb. (wish the could have played video games) They also helped take out walls, etc and clean their home to the studs. They are children, they need more their time than us adults. We all will be different because of the storm but I don't think these kids need to have this tradey in their face 24/7. I need a break, I cannot take one but I am the parent.
Thanks for the comment that these kids need something to do.
My children were up and ready for school today. Just riding by brings tears to my eyes. All the kids love the fact they are going to school!
The are starving for interaction and to know all is ok!

In response to the comments from the teacher in Anchorage, I think she stood out in the cold too long. Some schools in Miss. are very good and some are not so hot has to be admitted. Our facilities cannot be described as nothing prior to Katrina, however.
My wife was a teacher 18 years in the Miss. Public Schools where I have sent 3 sons. She had health insurance provided by the school distict as well as a reasonable retirement program and a great opportunity with a deferred compensation program.
There are certainly problems with our public education system but we have lots of good people working hard with some limited resources but public education is not ignored.
To state that Katrina was good for the schools or anything else for that matter is unconscionable.

the best of luck and may god be with you.

Good luck, Ill be praying for you
God bless you!!!!!!!!!!!

What would be WONDERFUL to see is a group of teens gathering the morning and picking some random task to accomplish for the day - - maybe it is clearing out a neighbors yard or playground of debris... or anything else that helps the community... let them put on some music and be productive...

There is more to a teenagers live than video games. Sadly to many parents never invested in the lives of there kids. Chossing to try and buy it instead. And that really succks. Now the kids are facinf a life were life can't be bought so cheaply and it is leaving them very confused and with out a velue system.

Trusting the young to do something remarkable and responsible is heroic. Being able to help in such a time like this will make the young people feel that they have become a part of rebuilding their city. If they will be given a chance to contribute for the city's welfare, it will be something that they won't forget in the future, motivating them to become responsible citizens in the country.

hello Alaska I will put my 10 year old daughter's Ms. education up against any other states.She is as intelligent as any other 10 year old anywhere in the world.She is no genius but she has an IQ of 112.We in Ms. have gone thru enough so please refrain from brewing up another storm.

If your not from Mississippi you wont understand, the spirit of the people who live here to pul together in times of great need. In the dark hours of Katrina the ones who road out the storm were our first responce teams. They were out taking stock and helping to clear dabries and searching for the wounded way before Fediral help was spoken of, these are our heros, the rsedents of our Mississippi Gulf Coast. And thank God our Govener did not enact Martial Lw but let each community decide what course of action was best for them.

i do like th eidea of doing productive things... it would be awesome to help others in their hour of need.

To see that girl smile is worth more than any thing I own.Its the kids who never forget.

Yes,I agree that each person needs to help with the chores of the house. I am sure there are teens out there working hard and unseen to make things better after Katrina hit their home. I am sure that each one of those teens hanging out at the Sonic or where ever they hang out together have done thier share of being "productive". Most have lost everything some including family and friends. Every teen needs a place to hang out, a place where food, fun friends are present, to say they do not deserve to have that until all the work is done, would put them in their 20's, the clean up is going to take a very long time. We live in times of uncertainty, our teens are going to be the front runners when we are old, why would we begrudge them breathing room. All work and no play makes very poor leadership. What we put into them today will determine what they put in us tomarrow. Yes they need to help with the recovery of thier homes but we must do what we can to help with the recovery of thier hearts. Send money,CD players, Sonic gift certificates,pinball machines, help with a teen center, why should they hang out on the streets? Respect begets respect, lets respect them and love them their lives have changed and only time will tell the complete outcome.

As a kid growing up in Iowa, I remember caravaning with my Dad and neighbors to cities after a tornado swept through. Cleaning up after these disasters helped me always appreciate what I had and how we can all help each other.

GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE.ITS TOUGH NOW,BUT BE STRONG AND KEEP YOUR HEAD UP HIGH.AGAIN GOD BLESS

Being a "Sub" myself ... I think that the "Sub" from Anchorage is forgetting something. FULL TIME teachers (like my Dad) get benifits ... more benifits than the support staff ... like me (this also includes Aids I have found from also working as one). Sometimes it doesn't seem fair because some of us have taken all the same classes, but that is how it works. We all can think of how it is to walk in someone elses shoes, but allas we really can't. As for the students that were affected by Katrina ... the students I get to talk to think about what would happen if they were not able to go to school for that long, and even the one's that don't like school that much say they'd rather be able to go then not and most of them are glad that school has resumed.

I did live in St Martin but now I live in Live Oak Florida with my family. no damage was done to my house there but it has done some damage to my family. But on the other hand things are looking up and I have been very fortunate of the family that has been there for us. I look on the internet every morning to see if there is new information on my hometown which is pretty much all of south Mississippi. I am glad the schools are back in and I hope that it will be a wonderful school year for all of you. We have decided to stay and live here in Live Oak but we do have family in Biloxi we love and miss. May your holidays be joyful and bliss. Life is full of surprises.

i think that even though the kids arent in school as of yet, it is good that they are not causing more trouble than was created by the storm. even if they are just hanging out, at least they are behaving, and not using it as an excuse to create trouble.

Kids that hang around all day with nothing productive to do will soon find something to occupy their time. Often, it's unlawful. Put the kids to work, cleaning up debris, helping the elderly with shopping, volunteering any place that needs it. FEMA is wasting millions on no-bid contracts to unqualified contractors; maybe someone could squeeze a few thousand out of them to even pay these kids to help out.

Anyone who can help the families that have suffered from the hurricane, please help! In Diamondhead, MS, they don't even have a grocery store! Please consider opening your hearts and wallets to help them. Also, consider sending them supplies. God bless all of the victims.

Durring Hurricane Katrina, we in Mobile, Al didnt have power or anything for over two weeks. We were lucky...very lucky. The people of Mississippi was not that fortunate like we were. I see the courage coming out of Mississippi and how proud it makes me feel that we can get our lives back on track. Even after a major storm like this. For all of those who was not affected by this hurricane, I ask for you to donate to the efforts that are still going on. May God bless the victims all across the Gulf Coast.

Just wanted to say that we are all thinking about what you are going through. My brother just left to help out. He is a truck driver. If you see him say Hi for me. he is a great guy and I am proud of him. Not sure were he is right now. His name is Dan Palmer Tall handsome guy lol.. please take care of yourself and him. sparky foxboro ma

Hello All, I have been reading your comments about your teens.. I am a firefighter who went down to New Orleans with the first Task Force out of Illinois. And was just hit in the face with what I seen. A group of of help one of the local Paramedic tear apart he and his wife's beautiful home( down to the studs). And this brought tears to my eyes and it was not even my home. I also am a police officer, and i deal alot with teens. There are not many of us that have had to live thru some thing like this when we were teens and i don't think we should force them to do OVER MUCH, we know from being teens the things that are happening in there young bodies aready makes them mixed up already. At this point in their lives they are turning into Young adults and there bodies are changing and alot of other stuff that we seem to forget what was like when we went thought it. I was deployed down there for two weeks and left my boyfriend and my son here. I have been told since I got back I am not the same person. well after the heart breaking things i seen when i was down there, i would be surprized if I was the same. And i have seen a lot of heart breaking things i my careers, so i can't imanage being a teen and living through this... So Please love one another and let each of us teach each of our teens in our own way, for as a parent of teens we know what each is capable of some things that others are not. To Any New Orleans Firefighters reading this, I miss those of you I met and my Heart is still with you !!!!!!

My child is a Sonic hang out kid. Please remember not too many people are cooking now a days as we have FEMA trailers that work on propane and I can tell you I am afraid to use the stove. Also kids go to Sonic for the same reason the adults go there (and when you go, you see more adults than kids there)we want burgers.
My 18 year old not only goes there to be with friends but to EAT also. Usually he goes after an afternoon of helping me rip out walls to his bare home where he has lost everything. SOON he will go after painting new walls. (this kids deserve this, only normal thing)

Thanks so much everyone...i am a teen in waveland that goes to bay high...and i'm glad that everyone is taking the time to worry about us..unlike adults you can't give us money and if you did what would we do with it? and unlike kids we don't play with toys...the most awesome thing i got was a deck of cards in my new book bag! Thank you so much! And that mom is right we are all exhausted from tearing out sheetrock and constantly having to clean..

I just want to encourage these kids to be very trusting in God and he will strength them through there hard times and also remember that Jesus loves you. I am bringing THE T.O.R.C.H. PROGRAM out to let and to show teens even through the storm you can be yourself. We will be ariving in town on this friday Dec 2, 2005 and we will have a good time on this dat so see you there you most precious team of teens. May God be with you and you be all around blessed. Sister Jennie Jesus. Oh! if you just want to talk or have any questions about our program just call me at 281-883-4422, If i am not home just leave a message i will get back with you soon. Call me! Jesus is #1

This is sister Jennie letting the teens know that we had a change of plans because, I do have family members here in houston and they survived the hurricane that hit there in my home town bay st. louis. yes, that is my hometow,I have lived here in Humble for six years i gues or longer. I have been gone so long but i have never forgotten my home town , never in a day. Thats where i and some people i have brought on visiting my mom, came all the time, that was my vacation , being back home in old town bay st. louis. My name is Jennie Mae Saucier and all of my family lived there in bay st. louis. They all were hit big by this just like you all and i pray for them as well as you all. So, I was just writing this to let you all know that due to me taking care of my mother and also working on some projects with my youth program THE T.O.R.C.H. i will have to cancell this weekend and hope to see you another time but feel free to call anytime you like. Hey I ask myself all the time am i really ready to see my hometown devestated like that. Well, God knows what i have to face and he will keep me at perfect peace. One thing i have learned living anywhere, that God can do all things and fix all things. Always pray teens and if mommy or daddy can't handle the situation their in tell them that Jesus loves you always no matter what else happens or happened he is always on our side and by our side. I love you all and hope the best for you all.Just be patient and God will fix it all. Be blessed always in the name of Jesus. THanks Sister JEnnie Mae Saucier THE T.O.R.C.H. LEADER AND FOUNDER
cALLL IF YOU NEED PRAYER OR JUST WNAT TO TALK , SOMETIMES IT IS GOOD TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THATN TO HOLD IT ALL BOTTLED UP INSIDE. rEAD PSALMS 46 1-
AND PSALMS 47 AND JUST BLET PEACE BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.