St. Mary's Elementary: One Year After the Tornado
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: May 24, 2012
JOPLIN, MO-- A local elementary is getting ready to wrap up a very different school year. St. Mary's Elementary school has just one day left in the calendar before wrapping up a whole year operating out of a former warehouse. Space was tight - but both teachers and students say they made it work. They credit help from public schools, donors - both local and national - and the daily support they got from each other.
St. Mary's Principal Stephen Jones said, "We've had a lot of challenges. However, the teachers are very resilient and very flexible, very willing to make adjustments."
School officials also credit McAuley Catholic High School with sharing space like the cafeteria and gym - and say that partnership will expand next year using combined art space.
