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LAPLACE — St. Charles Catholic High School Principal Dr. Courtney P. Millet anticipates the school will resume operations shortly after power is restored. A day or two will be needed to check the HVAC system and ensure that the campus is ready to welcome students back to in-person learning following the devastation of Hurricane Ida.

Once school is open, students are invited to wear Friday dress every day through December.

Dr. Millet looks forward to SCC providing a home away from home and a sense of normalcy for students, faculty and staff.

She struggled to find the “right” words to use in light of where the Comets community finds itself as a result of Hurricane Ida. Yet, as she pondered on how the community is rallying together in so many known and unknown ways, she was reminded of the words of Saint Pope John Paul II: “It [solidarity] is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”

“Being a life-long member of this community and witnessing the generosity, hospitality, help and care that is being displayed during this time of crisis, I do write this message to you in a place of love and hope as we lift each other up in a community spirit that is graced by the love of God and love of neighbor,” Dr. Millet said in an e-mail communication to families this week. “We are thinking of all of our teachers, staff, students and community members and hoping you and your loved ones made it through this dangerous storm safely.”

She added, “The damage to our area is significant and devastating. While the school and chapel sustained some wind and rain damage, we are grateful to have been spared of far worse. We won’t know the extent to any HVAC damage until the power is restored. Our athletic facilities took a terrible hit. Cotton Global Disaster Solutions is coordinating our clean-up, mitigation and restoration.”

The hurricane response team, contractors, faculty, staff, volunteers, alumni and many more community have come together on campus this week to prepare for a safe return to school.

Earlier this week, the Comets family worked on devising a plan for temporary remote learning. Dr. Millet realizes there will be extenuating circumstances, and she is committed to working with families on an individual basis.

“We also realize that so many of our teachers and students are dealing with major damage to their homes, and will be sensitive to these situations and will provide attention to all of our students,” Dr. Millet said.

The Comets family will need to continue to be “Stronger Together” in the upcoming weeks and months while working together to rebuild the SCC community.

A high percentage of faculty, staff and students were hit hard by Hurricane Ida. St. Charles Catholic High School is collecting donations to help families replenish their food provisions, household property, supplies and goods in the coming weeks and months.

Support is also needed to restore athletic facilities, which are an important part of the culture at St. Charles Catholic High School and among the entire community. Hope is on the horizon, as the Comets football team gathered on the practice field for the first time in two weeks on September 9.

Please mail all donations to:

St. Charles Catholic High School

100 Dominican Drive

LaPlace, Louisiana 70068

Donations can also be made through the United in Faith, Make a Gift link on the school’s website: https://www.stcharlescatholic.org/makeagift

Next steps will be communicated through text messages, email and postings to www.stcharlescatholic.org. Please share the news as needed with others, as many families and students do not have Internet access.

“In closing and mindful that the God of life is with us, we will get through this as we look to lift each other up in a spirit of collaboration, cooperation and the building up of the entire community,” Dr. Millet said. “We look forward to the day when we’ll be able to welcome you back to our school.”