September 23, 2005
State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Provides Update
on Katrina Relief Efforts in California Schools
More than 500 Students Displaced by Hurricane Katrina Attending School in California
SAN BERNARDINO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today updated school districts on school-based relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina. He also commended students in California for raising nearly $150,000 for relief efforts.
"California students, teachers, administrators, and other school staff have opened their hearts, their classrooms, and their wallets to students in need from the Katrina disaster affected states," O'Connell said. "I am so proud of the giving spirit of California's school community. Nearly $150,000 has been raised through the ‘California Kids Care' program so far. More than 500 students who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina are now attending school in California. We welcome those students with open arms and hope that by attending school here some level of normalcy can be returned to their lives."
Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Solano, and Ventura Counties have reported enrolling students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The attached chart* shows the enrollment of students by county and grade level. District level information is not available at this time.
The "California Kids Care" campaign is a voluntary statewide initiative to encourage California public school students to get involved in helping the victims of the hurricane. This collection effort will run through the end of September. Schools that participate will be recognized with a certificate by the California Department of Education.
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* The chart has been archived. For more information, please contact the Communications Division at 916-319-0818.
