A majority of the district's staff members were also evacuated, and about half of them lost their homes.
McKenzie School Board member Alyssa Brownlee said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided temporary internet connection in a motel parking lot, which is expected to be in the area through the end of the week. Verizon has also put up multiple temporary cell phone towers, but the connection does not reach everyone.
Blue River, Ore., lies in ruin on Sept. 15, 2020, just eight days after the Holiday Farm Fire swept through its business district.This is forcing families to make some tough decisions. Brownlee's house was not burned by the fire, but without internet, her daughter will not be able to participate in online learning from home.
But Hunt said the uncertainty of if and when homes and businesses will recover is a problem for many school districts, such as McKenzie. If parents do not have jobs and housing in these communities, families may not be able to return. And for small districts, a drop in enrollment could have a long-term impact on school districts.
At that point, it should be optional. If kids can do it and want the sense of normalcy and routine, great. And if they can’t or can’t focus, there are more important concerns, like mental health. Bring them books/materials if they want them. PS I’m a parent and an educator.
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In almost all disasters it seems that our children that need us the most end up suffering the most. Regarding this disaster: politicians need to stop blaming everyone else and invest intelligently in forest management like heavily forested Europe does. Take responsibility.