As we begin this new school year, the pain and sadness of the human tragedy caused by Hurricane Katrina has rippled across the entire world. Not only are we in mourning for the people who have lost their lives, but we are also touched by the pleas for assistance from the survivors in these devastated areas. As many of the reports indicate, the death toll from direct and secondary causes is expected to rise. Hundreds of thousands are left homeless and relying on relief aid for food and clean water. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families struggling to recover.

We have been monitoring the situation closely and already have had a few questions regarding this horrible tragedy. Last year, when a few serious hurricanes hit the Florida panhandle, we determined that principals could grant Educator Leave if the circumstances constituted a "personal emergency." With the current information we have on the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, the situation is the same; Educator Leave may be granted to educators who are facing a personal emergency and need to return to the United States due to the recent hurricane and flooding in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Administrators are responsible for verifying and approving educator leave on a case-by-case basis. Government service employees have the option of taking annual leave for such emergencies. However, before any of you decide to travel to that area, please consider the infrastructure and level of support for the current residents. As of September 1, air traffic has been cancelled in many areas surrounding New Orleans. Officials warned that airline service could be spotty to Jackson, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; Pensacola, Florida; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana for at least another week.

If you are interested in helping to support the efforts of those ministering to the victims of this disasteryou may contact the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is providing a safe haven for nearly 46,000 evacuees in more than 230 Red Cross shelters, from the panhandle of Florida, across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Texas. The Red Cross is launching the largest ever mobilization of resources for a single natural disaster involving thousands of trained disaster relief workers, tons of supplies, and support. You can also make donations on line at www.usafreedomcorps.gov which has identified a number of legitimate organizations supporting relief efforts.

Despite the pain, suffering, and anguish being endured in one of the worst natural disasters ever in American history, there is hope on the horizon. Corporations and communities around the United States are responding charitably and trying to assist in whatever way they can. Already contributions have reached into the millions. These responses are a tribute to the generosity of the human spirit and evidence of how much we all care. I am confident that many of you in the DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam community are already reaching out and doing what you can to provide comfort and support to the thousands of fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers that are without shelter and food.

Let us never forget how fortunate we are and how fragile life can be, as we send our support and spirit to help rebuild the Gulf Coast.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam