SHIOCTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — For the first time in almost two weeks, the halls of Shiocton schools were filled with students Monday.
It was April 15 when the School District of Shiocton first canceled classes because of historic flooding that inundated the community and caused a village-wide evacuation.
Monday’s rain showers couldn’t dampen the spirits of students and teachers as they finally returned to their classrooms.
“It almost felt like first day of school, mixed in with all of the emotions for staff and students of seeing each other again, or in the school setting. I don’t know, I can’t — words can’t really describe the feeling,” said Superintendent Garrett Zimmerman.
Considering what students, their families and the entire community experienced in the past two weeks, Monday’s return to school was seen as part of the continued recovery process.
“They were good being home. I’m not saying I didn’t love the time with them, but getting back to work and school has been good for our town, good for the kids. Routine is very much needed right now,” said parent Tracy Carpenter.
Zimmerman said about 20% of the school’s 750 students were directly impacted by the flooding. Only about 10% of the student population was absent on the first day back Monday.
District officials said they addressed the situation with middle and high school students in an assembly. Elementary school teachers addressed their individual classes.
According to Zimmerman, “We can’t jump back into normal, or pretend like nothing happened. Our community has gone through a trauma. Students have as well. Take time, reconnect, talk with kids, have some fun, do some reading and math facts — stuff like that. But really, it’s about welcoming students back.”
The school building itself suffered no damage from the floods. The district’s athletic fields, however, could be another story.
“We just don’t know right now. A lot of them were pretty much underwater this entire time, so we need a little dry spell here, and then we can get out and take a look at their condition,” added Zimmerman.
He said he’s already started the paperwork to get a waiver from the state Department of Public Instruction so the missed class time will not have to be made up.
