Westport, CT (September 19, 2005) -

Save the Children's Rudy Von Bernuth and Mark Shriver, who head the agency's emergencies and crisis programs and U.S. programs respectively, recently traveled to Jefferson Parish, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, to assess elementary schools in the storm-ravaged area, with Jefferson Parish School Superintendent Diane Roussel.

Spared much of the flooding that devastated parts of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, the Jefferson Parish schools still face many post-Katrina challenges. Its teachers, students, parents and staff have been scattered across the state and country. The school district will have to repair the damage, sometimes severe, to its 84 schools and will likely be forced to close several facilities.

Save the Children will assist Jefferson Parish in its recovery efforts by training volunteers to provide psychosocial support to students returning to school, helping them surmount the trauma and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Classes begin October 3rd. School officials are confident that when the schools open, the community will return.

Donate to the Gulf Coast Hurricanes Recovery Fund for Children