KATHLEEN, Fla. — Polk County students are set to return to their damaged middle school Monday morning after an EF-2 tornado touched down in Kathleen.
Kathleen Middle School is among the buildings that suffered damage on Friday, Oct. 18. Polk County Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd had to cancel classes in the week following the tornado as repairs continued and temporary accommodations were made.
RELATED: Tornado damages Kathleen Middle School leading to school cancellations
District leaders installed portable classrooms and bathrooms. Teachers will return this week however to prepare their classrooms for students.
This comes as donations pour in from the Polk County community for Kathleen Middle School students and teachers. Teachers were able to do a little "shopping" on Friday in preparation for the kids coming back on Monday.
Officials gave an update on donations.
The outpouring of support from the community has been over whelming! Due to limited space for storage we are asking supply donations to be directed to the Polk Education Foundation (PEF). Thank you!
In addition, several changes will be in place on Kathleen's campus on Monday, including a new entrance on the side of the building where parents and students can enter. Due to all of the changes, teachers and staff will be on hand with maps to help out.
The district says the work to fully repair and renovate the school will take several months.
