Hershorin Schiff Community Day School is proud to be among the first schools in Sarasota County to reopen after Hurricane Milton, providing essential support for students and relief for parents following a challenging week of storm impacts. According to Head of School Dan Ceaser, the school’s design and construction, completed in 2019, prioritized safety and security. Key features include dedicated underground power, advanced IT infrastructure, and multiple backup power systems. While the campus experienced some cosmetic damage, such as impacts to fences and trees, it sustained no significant damage and never lost power. “Our dedicated facilities team was on-site at 8 a.m. the day immediately after the storm to initiate cleanup efforts,” Ceaser noted. “Our janitorial staff has been working tirelessly to ensure the school is ready for a safe reopening on Monday.” Recognizing the challenges many residents face in the storm’s aftermath, the school is implementing an excused absence policy for students unable to attend due to transportation issues. To help ease the transition back to school, lunch will also be provided for all students, faculty, and staff on the first day back. Ceaser emphasized the school’s strong community spirit, especially the staff’s dedication to ensuring the highest level of service when students and parents need it the most. “Community Day School operates like a large family. Our administrative team has been coordinating cleanup and communication throughout the week. Staff, including our agriculture teacher, volunteered to clear debris from the playground and our student-run farm garden to ensure a safe environment for our students,” he added.