Welcome back – we are happy to see you

The autumn classic – a fitness activity program for Manor and Harbor students and their parents – took place in the shadow of the first anniversary of superstorm Sandy last Thursday, October 24. It was a crisp sunny fall day. Teams of children were busy passing a ball back and forth in relay races while others practiced their jumping jacks, all in preparation for the big walk around Seaford High School’s track.

It was the first time students from both elementary schools were together since last year’s big storm. Seaford Harbor School had no power after the superstorm Sandy wrecked havoc in south Seaford. The Manor School community invited their Harbor School counterparts to share their classrooms until the Harbor students could return to their home school.

“This is a fantastic event that helps to keep the home and school community connected,” said Harbor parent Melanie Schnaier, who wore a tee shirt that read “More Pride Than Ever.”

“We are so delighted to be here with the Manor family. They were so kind and welcoming to us,” said Mrs. Schnaier, who has a first grader and third grader at Seaford Harbor School. “Our students were in their classrooms for about a week, waiting for the electric to be turned back on.”

Manor parent Melissa Keane said “We were fortunate [in north Seaford] but lots of friends were hit hard. Some of these kids came to [Manor] school with flip flops on. They had nothing after the storm and it opened my daughter’s eyes to what happened. She grew a lot, ” she said, referring to her fifth grader. “It’s about community. I think the children were happy to help. There were a lot of kids in the classroom but they were all so happy to be there, to be together. Everyone made it work. It’s good to see all the children together again.”

The coordinators of this event are physical education teachers Dianne Dunn and Ken Botti.

At the closing of the morning’s festivities, the fifth grade students from the Harbor and Manor exchanged gifts. Every Manor student handed a green and white paper flower to a Harbor student. The Harbor student gave their Manor counterpart a handmade bookmark – also decorated in the school colors.

“We are doing a little reunion and welcoming back our Harbor students,” Coach Botti told the Manor students. “This is a token of friendship, a way for us to say we are happy to see you.”