'It's our home:' Families celebrate progress after tornado damaged middle school

Sixth, seventh and eighth graders will report as scheduled for thew new school year at Springfield Middle School in Wilson County. Less than three weeks after an EF-3 tornado blasted off the roof and damaged the 6th and 7th grade wings of the school, the building is sound and ready for the new year. School starts on Aug. 26.

“There will still be some stuff on this side that is fenced off,” Superintendent Lane Mills said. “The building is safe and functional.”

The school plans to bring in mobile units to serve as temporary classrooms. It also plans to utilize the 8th grade wing and core of the school while the 6th and 7th grade wings are rebuilt.

For 10 days, since the tornado touched down on Aug. 8, Builder Services of NC has been working to remove excess water and secure the roof and walls that were damaged. The company determined that 75% of the structure is safe.

Student orientation is planned for Tuesday at Lucama Elementary School, with 6th grade families meeting at 4:30 p.m., 7th grade families at 6 p.m. and 8th grade at 7 p.m.

That is a relief for families.

“I am thankful. I am blessed. It is a relief to know he will be with his friends, a little bit of normalcy,” said Jamie Driver, who’s son Bryson will be a seventh grader at Springfield.

“I am thankful for how hard they are working, day and night,” Bryson said. “The growth they have made in the school is amazing. From the day the tornado hit to now, it looks like a completely different school.”

His mother said school leaders “covered all the bases” in communicating with families after the chaos of the early morning tornado.

“It means a whole lot to know you live in a community where people come together like that,” Jamie Driver said.

Part of that effort came from local businesses. Brooke Best, owner of Southern Best Casual Clothing and Gifts and her staff responded with a fundraiser to help outfit the classrooms.

“We are doing items for the teachers, we’re doing cash donations, we are doing gift cards for the teachers,” she said. “We’ve had so many people in the community that have already brought in. We have tubs full of items.

Three of Best’s children attended the school.

“It’s home,” she said. “We are going to continue raise donations, money, anything until the teachers tell us they have what they need.”

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