Long Beach schools replace Sandy-damaged supplies

The Long Beach school district has replaced many of the textbooks and supplies it lost in superstorm Sandy with donations, school officials said.

Flooding badly damaged several school buildings in the city. Many students whose homes were damaged lost books at home as well.

Donors have come to the rescue, although more replacements still are needed, officials said.
Big Ideas Learning, a publisher based in Erie, Pa., has donated dozens of boxes of replacement workbooks, and Pearson/Prentice Hall has donated 100 workbooks, district officials said.

Superintendent David Weiss said new supplies arrive from around the country every day. Local residents have also donated, he said.

“We have been deeply touched by the outpouring of aid that we have received in the aftermath of this terrible storm,” Weiss said.

The district asks residents who want to alert potential donors of specific needs use a link on the school district’s website. The website is www.lbeach.org and the link says, “Hurricane Relief Donate Here.”

Above: Student arrive at Lindell Elementary School for the first time since superstorm Sandy in Long Beach. (Nov. 13, 2012)