It was a day unlike any other for the families, staff, and students at two different elementary schools, but you wouldn't even know it from the smiles and laughter that filled the air.
Hurricane Helene swept through the Gulf of Mexico last week, leaving Manatee County's barrier island battered and bruised.
Anna Maria Island is still under damage assessment and closed to the public, but Dr. Katie Fradley remains hopeful that it will reopen soon. This is her first year as a school principal, and she is determined to make it a memorable one.
On a typical day, 186 students attend Anna Maria Elementary School, and today, 171 of them showed up at Stewart Elementary. Dr. Fradley and Principal Joe Hougland stood proudly next to a marquee that read, "Welcome Anna Maria Students and Families".
In the teachers' lounge, a feast awaited – bagels and cream cheese, donuts, muffins, fruits, coffee, and juice and more, all provided by the caring parents of Stewart Elementary families. "It was amazing," said Stewart Elementary Assistant Principal Lisa Heathcote. "They heard what was happening and took charge, insisting they help provide breakfast in support of our colleagues from Anna Maria."
Families had received a message from the School District over the weekend, informing them that until conditions on the island improved, the two schools would share classrooms and follow a team-teaching model. As the first bell rang, the media center buzzed with the excitement of a new school year, with extra support from all corners of the school district.
Guardians (including the School Resource Officer from Holmes Beach Police Department), IT professionals, school counselors, social workers, and executive directors were already working hard, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
Friendly faces were everywhere, forwarding phone extensions, setting up printer access, and making sure all students felt safe and secure.
Dr. Fradley greeted the students with enthusiasm, and her staff took attendance before guiding them to their new learning environments.
The administrators visited second-grade teachers Kimberly Schultz and Katrina Thomas, who were thrilled to share that classes were going well. Ms. Thomas praised her teaching partner, who had spent Sunday making copies of classwork packets to ease the transition.
As they toured the classrooms, hand-drawn "Welcome" messages adorned each door.
The two groups coexisted like old friends, both students and staff alike. Many of the Anna Maria students recognized friends from recreational sports leagues or their former preschools, and many educators reunited from previous schools.
Lunchtime arrived, and the smell of garlic bread wafted through the hallways. Food and Nutrition Services employees and custodians worked side-by-side, providing familiar faces and support.
Ray Dabney, Head Custodian for Anna Maria, greeted everyone in the cafeteria with a handshake and a heartfelt, "I hope your family made it through the storm okay". He shared that he was a recent transplant from Indiana and that a hurricane was nothing like a snowstorm.
In the front row of cafeteria tables, VPK students sat eagerly. "It's a special day," exclaimed a young girl named Emerson to Dawn Waldt, a paraprofessional. "Yes, lots of new people," Dawn replied with a smile.
As the students enjoyed their healthy meals, the teachers' lounge remained a place of support and camaraderie. School counselors and social workers, including Sara Sanders, Kami Lake, and Larissa Bennett, provided listening ears and comforting words.
The rest of the afternoon was quiet. Office staff found backpacks for students who no longer had one, and school secretaries, bookkeepers, and principals worked together to plan for the next day.
Among the whispers in the hallway were sentiments of pride and emotion, as employees reflected on the success of the day. Teachers prepared for car-rider lines, separated by school in opposite driveway loops.
This Monday felt different. We have all been through so much. Our friends, family, neighbors, teachers, and business partners have suffered great losses, and we all feel helpless, even for those elsewhere. But we are one small community, united by a storm that will change lives across the country.
By embracing each other with kindness and support, we'll make our piece of paradise a little brighter.
As the day came to a close, Stewart Principal Joe Hougland's voice echoed over the PA system to the staff, "Go home, get some rest, and come back tomorrow ready for day two. It will get better every day. Thank you all, have a great night."
