Classes Resume At Mannford Public Schools After Massive Wildfires

It was back to school Thursday morning for students in the Creek County community of Mannford.  They're returning to class following devastating wildfires nearly two weeks ago.

Mannford superintendent Dr. Steve Waldvogel says five staff members and nearly 70 students lost their homes in the fires.

People across the state responded by donating piles of supplies throughout the week.  Administrators will continue to pass out donated supplies Thursday.  The items, including pencils, papers, backpacks and notebooks, were spread out in the elementary school's cafeteria.

"We want to instill some sort of normalcy in their life. When they come back they're going to be excited to see their friends, and they'll come back to school and they're going to have an opportunity to have everything taken care of that they need for school," said Dr. Steve Waldvogel.

The school district expected 350 elementary students to show up the first day of class. 

News On 6 spoke to some parents who've lost homes to the wildfires.  They say school starting again is huge plus for the kids.

"For us it was because then we could keep the kids preoccupied and they would be in school with their friends...allow us to deal with the everyday things of trying to rebuild," said Joe Anaya.   

"Even though they don't have a home right now they at least have a little normalcy to go to," said Angie Wells.

Several other Tulsa area schools get underway Thursday, too. Owasso, Jenks and Collinsville Public Schools begin Thursday.

8/13/2012 Related Story: Green Country Students Go Back To School