Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Cisco in announcing an education initiative to help Mississippi schools not only recover from the hurricane, but move beyond to give our students the best opportunities that technology can offer. Cisco has committed $20 million specifically for the “Mississippi Education Initiative” to rebuild, improve and expand the learning opportunities for students in select schools.

Many other businesses, organizations and individuals also have recognized the needs of our schools and have reached out to help. BellSouth has donated $2.5 million to help expand online course availability to high school students so they can graduate on time. The Pantry, Inc. donated $100,000 to be used to help schools recover.

We are also very grateful for the assistance we have received from our leaders at the federal, state and local levels. They have been instrumental in our recovery efforts. The Mississippi Association of Educators has $125,000 through the NEA Hurricane Relief Fund immediately available to help displaced children, public education employees and schools impacted by the hurricane and the Mississippi School Boards Association has established the Hurricane Katrina School Relief Fund and is facilitating the adopt-a-school program.

These are just some examples of the outpouring of assistance we have received. This support is vital to our recovery and our commitment to accelerate student learning as our schools continue to tackle each challenge with the best interest of the boys and girls of Mississippi as the top priority.

Watch the announcement of Cisco's "Mississippi Education Initiative" at the Mississippi Economic Council's 2005 Hobnob event. (Windows Media Required for viewing. If viewing from a MAC, click here.)

In this time of uncertainty for displaced students and their families, the MDE offers information assistance through this web site and through its Hurricane Katrina Recovery Hotline at 1-866-856-2213 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.



Immediate Attention
How can I enroll for online courses?
Will I be able to graduate?
How do get information on dual enrollment?
My child needs counseling. Where can I go for help?
How can I get Special Education services for my disabled child?


More Answers

Many educators and their families are displaced and unsure of their next steps. Other educators are seeking guidance on how to respond to displaced students, how to respond to parents about make-up days, testing and other issues.



Immediate Attention
How can I get in touch with my district?
Are there employment options in other districts while my school is out?
Under what terms am I still under contract?
Will I still get paid if my school is not operating? How?


More Answers

Very few Mississippi school districts have not been impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The MDE is committed to helping districts meet their educational responsibilities as quickly as possible, which in many cases involves significant challenges.



Immediate Attention
How do I get school records for the displaced students?
Are affected districts still required to provide 180 teaching days?
Are provisions being made for statewide testing and accountability?
Have school food program eligibility requirements now changed?

More Answers

Thousands of students in Mississippi’s public schools have experienced human suffering on a wide scale never witnessed prior to Hurricane Katrina. We know that many have lost family members, homes, churches, schools, whole neighborhoods and communities – vital elements of life that give us identity, security and a sense of place. As of October 13th, we've already enrolled over 7,000 displaced students in our system. Direct devastation of school property in South Mississippi is significant, with at least 24 schools severely damaged and 16 totally destroyed. There were another 263 schools in 79 districts that also suffered damage. The Mississippi Department of Education is committed to supporting the state’s recovery in the best way we can – by ensuring that every student who has been displaced by the storm is enrolled in school, and by expediting the process of applying federal and state resources toward restoration of damaged or destroyed schools.

Resources and Assistance:

American Red Cross CDC - Hurricane Katrina and Healthy Schools Child Care Spending Flexibility Council of Chief State School Officers Early Childhood Hurricane Relief Page Episcopal Relief Head Start Hurricane Waivers/Funding Highway Information Methodist Relief MindOh! Foundation MS Emergency Management Agency MSBA Hurricane School Relief Fund MS State Government Website Multi Agency Donations Staging Center Salvation Army United Way U. S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Clearinghouse for Ed. Facilities

Matching Donations to School District Needs
Hurricane Katrina has left many schools in need of assistance. The response to this need by individuals and organizations has been overwhelming.

In order to help match school needs to offers of assistance we have created the Hurricane Katrina Help and Support site. The site contains information on ways to find assistance and offers several avenues for providing assistance.

Please check the site often. More information is being added as it becomes available.

For more information:
Hurricane Katrina
Recovery Hotline
1-866-856-2213
from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.