Ascension Catholic Schools Thrive as They Recover from Hurricane Damage

After Hurricane Francine raked across Southeastern Louisiana on Sept. 11, Ascension Catholic School in Donaldsonville quickly responded and continues to operate during its rebuilding phase through strategic planning and the support of students, teachers and Ascension Catholic community.

The most substantial damage done to the Ascensions Catholic School’s facilities was at the elementary schools, according to principal Tammy Crochet. Eleven classrooms, the staff bathrooms, and the girls’ and boys’ bathrooms were damaged.


“We had significant water damage and of course it put us into immediate action,” said Crochet. “We had a restoration team that came out and immediately began the restorative process using dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, and removing all of the wet materials in the classrooms; and this was done under the direction and advisement of the diocese.”

The school is currently in the reconstruction process of “putting things back together,” said Crochet.

“We also went into action as far as putting our students in different locations so that we can bring them back to on-campus learning,” Crochet said. “We are fortunate enough to have Ascension of Our Lord Church. They are very helpful and agreed to allow us to use their activity center. So we have our pre-K through first-graders there at the activity center. We put up temporary classrooms in our primary school gym for third and fourth grade. And we were able to do some combining of our seventh and eighth grade to allow fifth and sixth grade to be in our middle school.”

Deacon Chris Landry, deacon assistant at Ascension of Our Lord, said helping the school came naturally, as the church strives to help all in need in the community.


“We work very well together, and the school is so special to us and all of the students; we would have done anything at all possible to help them continue as seamlessly as possible while they remitted the troubles.”

Deacon Landry said the church was “happy to share space to have those classrooms and keep those kids during their school days.”  

“We rearranged some schedules and worked a little bit over the weekend,” Deacon Landry said. “And the teachers were impressive on how quickly they jumped into action to make that happen.”

The deacon added, “We all feel like one organization under Jesus and the diocese.”
The most critical part of the restoration phase, said Crochet, is the positive attitude of the students, staff, and faculty as they make adjustments.


“Our teachers are rock stars. The kids are super resilient, and everybody has been doing a wonderful job keeping their calm and making sure that learning doesn't stop. It’s a temporary solution. And we're hoping to be back in our classrooms (as soon as possible),” said Crochet.

Because most hurricanes inflict death and injury as well as property damage, the Ascension Catholic community considers itself fortunate that no one was harmed by the storm.

“That was a big blessing. All of our students, faculty, everyone was safe and sound. We were able to return to business as usual. Just a little different,” said Crochet.