Tornado Forces Tulsa Charter School To Finish School Year At Church

Less than a week after a storm rips the roof off a Tulsa elementary school, teachers are getting their lesson plans ready for the last week of class. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12495331" target="_self">Tulsa School Damaged By Storm To Re-Open Thursday</a> | <a href="http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12479092" target="_self">Tulsa Charter School Sustains Storm Damage</a>

Tuesday, May 18th 2010, 4:29 pm

By: News On 6


By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6 

TULSA, OK -- Less than a week after a storm rips the roof off a Tulsa elementary school, teachers are getting their lesson plans ready for the last week of class.

The staff at Woodlake Church in East Tulsa is opening up their doors to a school desperate for help.

"I showed up at 6 a.m. and was just floored," said Diane Cook, Discovery School teacher.

Diana Cook is a teacher at Discovery, a charter school specializing in math and science. Last week's storms ripped the roof off the building, leaving behind a wet mess of destruction.

"It was just unbelievable," Cook said. "There aren't words. My heart sank."

Teachers had no clue if they'd be able to finish up the last week of school.

5/13/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Charter School Sustains Storm Damage, Cancels Classes Friday

"We felt helpless," Cook said. "We felt like there was nothing we could do for a while."

Several local churches stepped up to help. Now Cook and her co-workers are taking a tour of their temporary new digs.

Pastor Jamie Austin says he's happy his church got the call.

"This enriches the community, we believe it what this school is doing," Pastor Jamie Austin said. "And if we can assist and be a part, that's exactly what we're supposed to do."

Classes resume Thursday morning.

5/17/2010 Related Story: Tulsa School Damaged By Storm To Re-Open Thursday

Diane Cook, Discovery School teacher: "We're going to use this now. You just don't know how excited we are."

Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6: "So what grade is this for?"

Diane Cook, Discovery School teacher: "Third grade."

Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6: "And what are you going to use the room for?"

Diane Cook, Discovery School teacher: "We're going to have class!"

After the walk-through, the teachers were eager to prepare their lesson plans.

There's only four days left, but every day counts.

Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6: "What's going on this last week of school that makes it so important to have class?"

Thea Dye, Discovery Elementary teacher: "I believe every day of school is important. It doesn't matter if it's the beginning of the school year or the end."

Discovery School has 350 students enrolled this year. Grades six through eight will finish up classes at Langston University Tulsa.

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