HURRICANE KATRINA HITS!

On the way to work this morning I was listening to the news on the radio. They were talking about people evacuating still from a terrible hurricane. I was lecturing in my 8:00 am class when a strange lady came into the room and interrupted me telling everyone that they must LEAVE!! I told her that my boss has not told me anything yet. I tried to continue with class as normal. Looking at my students faces as I lectured, I could tell something was wrong. My boss came in shortly afterwards to inform us that all classes at the coliseum in the University have been canceled today due to evacuees coming in from Hurricane katrina. The coliseum was being used as a "Special needs" facility. My class was dismissed and as I walked out into the hallway there were National Guard personal everywhere. People were setting up cots in rooms, desks were being moved out, supplies were being brought in. Doctors and Nurses were setting up there equipment. It was crazy! By the end of the day, thr place was full of evacuuees in wheel chairs and other needs. I was still allowed to work in my office but it was hard to concentrate. I kept my door closed. No students were allowed in. I had to check in and out with a Guard who sat at the door making sure noone was coming in and only certain people were going out. I was in shock along with other staff members. Our classes were relocated in other areas across the campus over the next week and a half. In one of my classes, Personal & Community health, we were beginning to talk about STRESS! We spent a great deal on Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. The class discussions went well with students beginning to open up and share their stories and feelings on Hurricane Katrina. Some of my students lived down south and were effected by this very much. Their parents lost their homes and jobs. Some students couldn't even find their parents for a couple of weeks.