School Resumes in Van after Tornado

VAN (AP) – School has resumed in an East Texas town more than a week after a tornado killed two residents and left at least 40 people hurt. Students in grades four through 12 reported for classes Monday at three schools in Van. The other two schools in Van, 70 miles southeast of Dallas, were severely damaged in the May 10 twister and remain closed. Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade will not have to return this term due to that campus damage. Van schools spokeswoman Lynsey Admire says the Texas Education Agency has granted a waiver, so classes missed last week won’t be made up. Graduation will be held May 29 at Tyler Junior College. The last day of school is June 2, a date not changed by the tornado.

According to KETK, buses were brought in from other districts, including Tyler ISD, Grand Saline ISD, Lindale ISD and Brownsboro ISD. Buses outside the city limits are running on the normal schedule. There were some changes for buses inside city limits. 35 of the district’s 39 buses were damaged in the tornado.

“Bus 36 will start on Chestnut Street at 7 a.m. and work its way east to the baseball fields,” said Logan Sartain, a Van ISD spokesperson. “Bus 37, which usually runs south of Main street, will run its normal course with the exception of south Bois d’ Arc Street. Students at the south Bois d’ Arc street will be picked up at Doctor Bunt’s office on Quail Street at 7 a.m.”

Those buses will stop at each house on their route to honk and flash their lights as a signal. You can go to http://www.vanschools.org for more information.