PASS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

A private effort to enhance communications before and after hurricanes and other emergency events

Pass Christian High School before Katrina...Now, totally destroyed. Let's help put it back together. Picture courtesy of Mrs. Bartlett's English III Class Website.

To Whom It May Concern,
I am the 11th grade English teacher at Pass Christian High School (temporarily located in Delisle in trailers and portable restroom facilities). My English students, AP Language and Composition and English III, and I would like to do a research project on the storm and its aftermath, with special attention to the students and faculty at PCHS. We would like to produce a documentary and, perhaps, a book, somewhat of a Katrina Kaleidoscope.

A major obstacle for us is a lack of equipment. All of our audio/visual equipment has been destroyed. Everything on the 1st floor is completely gone. We are unable to get into our classrooms on the second floor.

Not only are we in a search for sponsors, but we are in a search of advice and guidance for this project. We would like to create something meaningful and wonderful!

There are strong links between the cities of Long Beach and Pass Christian and some residents of the Town of Davie. Some of our neighbors had homes in Southern Mississippi. Those homes are history...pushed into the void. Our neighbors also have friends in those two towns...the lives of which will never be the same. One of those friends is the Principal of Pass Christian High School, who lost her house but is feverishly working to re-open the school she loves. According to ABC News, over 100 people were missing in Pass Christian, Mississippi as of September 21, 2005. ABC also reports that approximately 80 percent of the city was destroyed. The tale of Pass Christian is so compelling that "Good Morning America" is documenting the recovery effort there. The devastation in Long Beach, just a few miles to the east of Pass Christian, is just as heart breaking. These towns took a direct hit. They look like Hiroshima. This web site features pictures of some of the destruction which stands as stark evidence of grief, need and the opportunities that lie ahead to help. As of September 27, the hope was that the high school, which is being consolidated into one building with other Pass Christian school facilities, will re-open within 2 weeks.

The needs of the Gulf States in the wake of Katrina are simply overwhelming and almost incomprehensible. Many Davie and South Florida residents have given their money and specific donations, to help via the Red Cross and other wonderful organizations. To those that have given and helped by devoting their time and efforts, thank you so much for all you have done and your generosity. For those individuals, businesses and governments that have not yet decided how to help, there is so much we, as a community, can accomplish for our neighbors to the north. While we cannot fix all that is broken, we can single out a worthy project where a meaningful and lasting difference can be made. The hope of helping students and teachers return to learning is a demonstration of our belief that Long Beach and Pass Christian, like so many other municipalities, will rebuild, and thrive, and not be defeated by a mere hurricane.

In the coming days, specific information will be posted as to how to assist, and how to donate printers, desks, calculators and other supplies. Please watch this space for updates. In the meantime, if you are interested in helping, please contact the Editor at:

10.4.05- Currently on the way to Pass Christian High School...3 new HP ink jet printers...3 cable connections for each printer...10 Casio High School Calculators. Much more is needed! Please help our efforts. Contact mac0202@bellsouth.net for shipping and donation information.

To donate goods to the school: We have made arrangements with the Mail Bag on Las Olas Blvd. for shipping of these items directly to Pass Christian High School. To donate and ship, please contact us at mac0202@bellsouth.net.

DavieHurricaneRelief.org will not accept donations, but is designed to help you target specific relief projects. All individuals wishing to donate funds, materials or goods should contact the Editor of this web site at mac0202@bellsouth.net for information on the official Davie Hurricane Relief Fund account set up by the Town of Davie. Specific donations for Long Beach and Pass Christian, Mississippi should be noted on any donations. The Town of Davie Hurricane Relief Fund has been created to supplement federal and state assistance and is designed to help in the Gulf and local Davie residents affected by Katrina. The donation of goods, such as printers and calculators, provides immediate relief to the City of Pass Christian High School. All donations will be verifiable from government officials. If you have ever been concerned about what happens to your relief donations, now is the chance to purchase goods and ship them to a targeted effort, where you will be able to see specific results. This site is designed to assist in facilitating your donations. Many people who have given, and those who have yet to give, wonder if the funds will make a difference. "Donor fatigue" is setting in across the country. We must not forget that the needs continue, more than ever. By focusing on small, verifiable projects, you can see where your relief monies and goods go, and how they can immediately help.

September 29, 2005 Update: The following e-mail was received from Mrs. Bartlett, an English teacher at Pass Christian High School: "We return to work on Wednesday, and our students return on Monday (10th). I am going to get you some digital photos ASAP. I don't know about video. I think I'll contact the local TV station and inquire. Pass Christian High School is the best school in the state of Mississippi. We were recently named a BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL. Our principal is PRINCIPAL of the YEAR. We love our school. The students at Pass High are phenomenal. Not only have the banded together through this tough time, they are anxious to return to their studies and excited about the year ahead of them. The teachers at Pass High are a class act. We care deeply about our students, and are actively involved with each and every one of them. We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support from around the nation for our students."

Editors note: We are working hard networking in order to accomplish meaningful relief for the Pass Christian High School. Progress has been made. The Mayor of Pass Christian has announced he is setting up an account in that City for hurricane rebuilding donations.

September 28, 2005 Update: The effort to purchase and deliver a computer printers, computer desks and calculators to Pass Christian High School in Pass Christian, Mississippi, is just getting underway. Please check this page for updates and more information. We are awaiting pictures of the high school to show the extent of the damage. In the meantime, the links below will help verify the needs of the school.

Specific information about the needs of Pass Christian High School have been listed on ed.gov, the official web site of the United States Department of Education. Click http://hurricanehelpforschools.gov/schools/ms_pg16.html to visit that site. Note: This list is changing from day to day. For more information about the present needs of the high school, please contact this web site at mac0202@bellsouth.net.

Report from WLOX-TV on post hurricane conditions in the Pass Christian School District, including the High School, dated 9.25.05: http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=3881238. Note: Media links may be archived and not available.

Rockport, Mass. reaches out to Pass Christian High School Bank in relief effort...Report from The Sun Herald on 9.22.05: http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12713402.htm. Note: Media links may be archived and not available.

September 27, 2005 Update: The need for portable classrooms has been met by the State of Mississippi. As of this date, the school is hoping to open, in another location, within 2 weeks. Needed now: Computer printers, computer desks and calculators. For information about the current status of the school, please contact us at mac0202@bellsouth.net.