Public schools open for the first time since Ida

St Mary Parish public schools reopened Tuesday for the first time since Hurricane Ida, with slight disruptions resulting from a water line break in Berwick and sporadic phone service, Superintendent Dr. Theresa Bagwell said.

"Fortunately, there are no impediments to keeping students in school and staff have been able to use alternatives to maintain any services that have been disrupted in any way," Bagwell said in an email.

A water main break on Berwick's Watson Street on Monday prompted a boil water advisory, a routine step when water pressure drops. Crews were at work on the break Tuesday.

Slight disruptions resulted from a need to provide water for cooking and drinking at schools in Berwick impacted by the boil advisory, Bagwell said.

Cell and landline phone service has been subject to interruptions since last week.

"Although the school system will host a two-day enrollment event for students impacted by the hurricane, some parents have visited area schools this morning seeking to enroll. School administrators and office staff have been able to provide them with the information needed to enter school," Bagwell wrote, "and we anticipate further assisting these families tomorrow and Thursday at the Materiel and Operations Center in Morgan City from 12:00-3:00 p.m."