Tuesday, May 21, 2013

May 20th - Moore, OK Tornado


Thank you to all my blogster followers for all your thoughts and prayers as my community of Moore, OK - in which I live and work in, has been horribly affected by the tornado that passed through on May 20th.  This tornado developed and came fast giving the community little warning and not much time to prepare.  It also came earlier in the day than most tornados come.  It came at a time when people were still at work and children were still in school.  The commotion of what was coming our way started around 2:00 p.m.  Parents were rushing up to our school in a mad frantic to check their child out.  With so many parents and such a mad dash to get students with their parents, the office staff was calling the student’s names out over the intercom one right after another as students were running down the halls to their parents.   As the storm got closer and closer the school was then put on a lockdown.  It was too dangerous for parents to leave with their child.  So parents came down to their child's classroom to be with their child and take cover with them during the storm.  As the tornado alarms sounded teachers, staff, students, parents, etc. all followed the tornado procedures we have practiced so many times before.  I had nine of my first grade students left at this time.  I then had my students take cover on the interior wall of my classroom.  (It’s times like these that you are so thankful you don’t have any windows in your classroom!)  As my students were taking cover I began pushing all the student desks over their bodies.  I was preparing just in case something were to happen to our building, any flying debris, etc. – hoping that the desks would take most of the hit, not the small bodies huddled closely underneath them.  Just as we were all settled into our positions we lost all power and the room became pitch dark.  Luckily I had a flashlight and my iPad right by my side.  As we were all huddled in the dark waiting for the unknown to happen our wonderful principal, Michelle McNear, was very calmly guiding us, talking to us, telling the students to be calm and listen to their teachers,  and also telling everyone how much she loved them over the intercom system.  One of the last announcements she made before the intercom system stopped working was to tell us that in about 30 seconds it was going to get really loud and our ears were going to pop, but to stay in our tornado positions.  I can’t say enough how wonderful and calm our principal was as she stood in front of a wall of glass windows, with an F4 or F5 tornado about 100 yards from our building, guiding us all through what was about to come.  (Below is a picture our principal took of the tornado as she was looking out the glass windows of our school).  She was definitely right we could hear a loud sound – almost like a train close by.  As scared as I was on the inside I knew I could not let my little first graders hear or see the fear I had.  I knew I had to stay strong for them.  So as we were all huddled in position we were all laughing and cracking jokes.  As much as I wanted everyone to be silent so I could listen to what was going on outside – I knew laughing and jokes were the way to go.  Then, I did what I knew I had to do – start praying!  Not only was I praying but I could hear and see my little first graders start praying. Then, by a miracle it all became quiet…no rain or hail sounds.   I decided to see if I could get any kind of information on my iPad as to where the tornado was.  I was able to pull up the streaming video of the tornado coverage to see that the storm had passed by our school - Wayland Bonds Elementary.  I was so relieved and felt so blessed that it had missed our school – but I didn’t feel 100% secure, because the video I was watching was showing the tornado heading in a path right by my house.  So I texted my husband who was home with my dog to make sure he was taking cover and to tell him that I loved him.  Luckily the tornado not only missed our school, but also my house.  It was less than a mile away.  Below is a video my husband took as the tornado made its way in the area behind our house.  



 
This is a picture of the tornado outside the windows of our school - Wayland Bonds Elementary.
 
 

 
This is the tornado passing just north of my house.

 
This is my husband taking the video from our backyard.

 
There is tons of debris surrounding my house and surrounding neighborhoods.  This is a picture of a large piece of metal-no telling what this is from.
 
 
The storm came through three days before our last day of school.  Since schools and family homes were hit in our school district, as well as all the down power lines, closed streets, etc. School could not continue for the remainder of the year.  Due to the circumstances, school was officially over May 20th.  As days passed and the power came back on and roads were open, the school district had an "End of School - Back to School Night."  Parents and students could come to their school to grab their belongings and say good-bye to their teacher.  It was a great way to put a since of closer to the school year. 
 
 
This is a picture of the goodies and supplies my students picked up when they came back to visit me!  Visit my blog post End of the School Year Student Gifts to see what I put in each student's sand pail.
 
 
Those schools of Briarwood and Plaza Towers that were hit during the storm had their students meet at a surrounding school.  Our school of Wayland Bonds hosted all the Briarwood staff, students and parents.  Our amazing PTA parents as well as generous donators put together backpacks filled with stuffed animals and other goodies for all the Briarwood students.
 
 
It was amazing to see not only all the backpacks and stuffed animals that were donated and put together in just a few short days, but food, gift cards, etc. were also donated to those families. 

May 20th was a sad and very long day.  Not only did we spend hours up at the school waiting for parents to pick up their children, but it also took hours for me to make it back to my house.  I feel so blessed to have all my family, friends, students, and belongings spared by the horrible storm.  Unfortunately, not everyone can say that.  Some of the families at our school were affected by the tornado.  Please continue to pray for those families that have not only been affected by the loss of their belongings – but for the people and animals they may have lost.  Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers!

 

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31 comments:

  1. So glad this passed you, but so greiving for the ones who were directly in the path. Please know that prayers of the nation are with you.

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  2. Amanda,
    My heart is beating so fast reading your post.
    I can't seem to find the right words.
    Thank God.
    You are so brave and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your town.
    Many hugs,
    Julie

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  3. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your community.

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  4. Wow! I can't imagine how scary that would be. So glad your kiddos were safe. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in OK.

    Rachel
    A-B-Seymour

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  5. Thank you for sharing this with us. Thank you for keeping the kids laughing & joking so when they remember this day, there will be less terror in their little minds. You & your principal are awesome....just what we all need for our kids & grandkids. Please know you are being tucked tightly into our thoughts & prayers.

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  6. So thankful you were all okay. Keeping everyone in our prayers. Thank you for sharing your post!

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  7. AMAZING! Sending big love from educators in Michigan!

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  8. How lucky your students were to be surrounded by such a caring teacher and school community. Sending you prayers. Thank you for being so brave!

    Molly
    Lucky to Be in First

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  9. I can't take my eyes off the news. You're ALL so brave!! Thinking of all you.

    Laurie
    First Grade Lyons' Den

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  10. So happy to know you and your little ones are okay.
    Prayers for you and your friends and neighbors as the pieces of your life are put back together.

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  11. Thank you for sharing your story! I'm thankful you were okay. Praying for everyone who was affected by this tornado!

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  12. Thank you for sharing your story. I can't imagine what that would have been like for all the teachers and students in your school. We have had a few lockdowns and tornado drills at our school but thank the Lord nothing has ever happened. I live and work in a small town in souther Manitoba, Canada and we are a praying community. The power of prayer is strong and I continue to pray for all of you.

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  13. I am so thankful that your school and home were not hit by the tornado. Thank you for being so brave and protective of your students. I hope and pray that those who were less fortunate know that people all over the country are praying for them and thinking about them.
    Connie Anderson:)
    www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

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  14. God Bless you and yours and Oklahoma...thinking of you with prayers and tears...you are very lucky, as are your kids in your class...you are where u are supposed to be and you have much more to do...thank God you are ok...it is amazzing that it missed you two times...You are blessed.. Much love, Amy :)

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  15. Thank you for being so strong for your little ones. I have been thinking of all the children and families of Oklahoma during this terrible time. Your little first graders were lucky to have you as a teacher during that terrible moment the tornado passed by. This moment will likely stick with them forever and they will never, ever forget you. Thank you for keeping them safe!

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  16. What a sad, but inspirational post! So glad that you and your students are all okay and so sorry for your communities loss. I am also an elementary teacher and our community in Texas is sending supplies your way.

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  17. wow, that was an intense read..Natural disasters like that don't happen in northern Illinois, and I can't even imagine what that was like for you being with your students. I am so glad to hear that you and your family, school, and friends are safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who have been impacted by this terrible disaster.

    -Caitlin
    Table Talk with C & C

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  18. I am so glad to hear that you, your students, and family are okay. Thank you so much for the update and inspirational words. I cannot imagine being in such a situation and it truly seems as if you handled it beautifully. Way to go Teach!

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  19. Amanda,
    It was an honor to read your post and hear your story. I say honor because your strength and dedication to the children are what all teachers should know and understand. They are lucky to have you, and you are their angel for life. Montgomery County, MD teachers send you love, hugs, and blessings for a restful summer. I know that if I were a community member, with a rising 1st grader, that I would do all I could to have you for their teacher. God Bless you, God Blesses You and know you are being prayed for around our dinner table each night. Christina Tregoning

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  20. God bless you for doing the unthinkable in a public school....praying! I'm a retired elementary school teacher in AZ and I want to thank you, not only for your dedication to the teaching profession, but for your heroic efforts on that fateful day. I hung on to every word in your post, and I felt that I was in that classroom with you! You are to be honored and I'm happy to share our profession with you.
    Loretta

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  21. I've had some of your classroom orgainization pins repinned to my boards, waiting to read them when I had time (read: during the summer). I picked them up this morning & recognized saw away that you were in Moore, OK. Living in Wichita, KS (so close you feel like neighbors in the grand scheme of our country), and having had a tornado scare just the day before, I was immediately concerned & found the tornado post. I am so very happy to hear that you, your students, your family, and school are safe. Your principal sounds like a tremendous leader, and you are a teacher to be admired. Thank you for sharing all you do with us. My school was destroyed in the May 1999 tornado that I believed also destroyed parts of Moore. In Wichita, we have shed many tears for the residents of your community and prayed many prayers. Know that we support you. You may email me if there are practical ways that we can help your community recover. moyapa74@gmail.com

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  22. I am so glad you are okay, and that your school and house are unscathed. I know this is coming late, but hopefully you know that many people are still thinking of Moore and its residents. I'm from Indiana, also in "tornado alley"- and having seen the terror in students' eyes during a tornado warning, I can't imagine going through what you have, and being there for them after. I'll continue to be thinking of and praying for you all!

    Jenny
    Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

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  23. As I was reading, tears started to stream because I simply can't imagine what you went through. I am so very thankful that you and your students are okay, and that your house was spared, as well. I'm a little late posting, but please know that Moore & those affected by this storm are in my constant thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing your story.

    Kelly
    First Grade Fairytales

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  24. I teach in OKC and I felt so lucky that the storms didn't come our way. I was just sick inside when I saw that it had hit Plaza Towers and Briarwood. I actually had subbed at both of those schools many years ago before I got my teaching job. Even though I don't know you, when I heard the news, I wondered about you and whether or not you taught at one of those schools. I'm glad you and your family are all safe.
    Kelly
    I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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  25. Thank you for sharing your experience. I was moved to tears reading this. Your composure and bravery are remarkable. Of course this is what teachers do! You and your school should be very proud. I will continue to pray for your community.

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  26. I bookmarked your blog after liking something of yours from Pinterest. When I saw where you were from my heart immediately dropped. Then when I saw your blog about the tornado I immediately got teary eyed. Thank God that you all were okay. Praying for you all.

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  27. I also came to your blog through your awesome skills at classroom organization as pinned on pinterest. Randomly I clicked to read more from your blog and saw your posting on the tornado. You and your principal...and really all of the staff at your school are amazing. Thanks you for sharing your story. Thank you for taking such loving care of the children. I hope one day that my daughter has a first grade teacher as wonderful as you.

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  28. I am a teacher and this post just brought it to home how important our job is despite our own fear of danger. Thank you for being so brave for those little kids and it's people like you that make me proud to be a teacher!

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  29. Thank you for sharing this. I am from north Alabama, where two years ago we were devastated by a string of tornadoes. Please know that you have not been forgotten and your bravery is amazing! I was holding back tears as I read this. I love how communities pull together during times like this. thanks for all your hard work on the activities you put together, too. You are truly awesome!

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  30. Dear Mrs. Terhune,
    I am writing from Toronto, Canada.
    It's been a year since that devastating tornado in your state, and I read it as though it was this past week. I will be teaching grade 1 next year, and came upon your site and thought what a great resource to have at my finger tips. Your bravery during that tornado touched my heart as I felt myself in your classroom protecting those children. God was at your school that day, of that I have no doubt. Based on the pictures from your principal and your husband, you were truly blessed that day.
    Thank you for sharing your ideas, and resources, keep well, and may God continue to bless you as you continue to touch those young lives.

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  31. My apologies, I do not wish to be anonymous, I am just not good at reading tech information.

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