Students From River Heights Elementary School Write Letters To Other Students Who Have Experienced Disaster

Graders at River Heights Elementary School in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, write letters to other students across the country who have experienced disaster. These students went through the Red River flood of 1997. They are attending classes at a temporary school and many are living in FEMA trailers. Information courtesy of the Northwest Minnesota Disaster Response Network.

Dear Fourth Grade Girl,

most important thing I lost in the flood was my books. I like to read. I gained a lot of new friends in the flood. When my mom and I were making dinner on the day of the flood, the National Guard came to our house and said we had to go far away from the water. So we packed our bags and forgot about dinner and went far away from the water. When we came back from the flood, my mom was going to clean out the stove and when she opened the stove, dinner was still in it. I think about the flood all of the time. The thing that reminds me of it the most is dirty, muddy water. I felt very sad because it has been almost one year from the flood.

Sincerely yours,
S.M. (fourth grade girl)

Dear Friend,

know what you're going through. It's really hard when that stuff happens. During the flood where I live it was scary. I felt very sad. I lost my favorite place to be, my basement. But we are building a new one. The river is scary to look at. When I look at it I start to think how it was, and I cry. Right now I feel much better now that it is over. I hope you feel better too.

Sincerely yours,
D.P. (fourth grade boy)

Dear Fourth Grade Girls,

lost my whole basement in the flood. I lost toys, clothes, and pictures. I know how you feel. It sucks. What TV station do you watch?

Sincerely yours,
J.P. (fourth grade girl)

Dear Fourth Grade Kids,

house was in the flood and I lost it. But I met new friends when I went to a new school in Thief River (because our school was off). I think of the flood when I see muddy or dirty messes. In April I think of the flood because that is when it happened last year. Now I feel relieved because we will not flood this year and we are getting a new house (FEMA helps you do that but it can take a long time!!!)

H. T. (fourth grade girl)

Dear Person,

know how you feel. We took most of the stuff out of my house, but we lost ornaments, a pool , chairs, refrigerator and shoes. My dad had to go into the water. When I am in the shower I am in like for 1 second because it reminds me of the flood and I don't want that to happen.

Sincerely yours,
J.I. (fourth grade boy)

P.S. By the way I lost my gerbils. I felt like frustrated!!