SPOKANE, Wash. — Students in the Nine Mile Falls School District returned to class today, taking a step toward normalcy after a turbulent summer of wildfires that threatened the region.
About three weeks before the school year began, the Spokane fires forced evacuations throughout the Nine Mile Falls area. The district said about 20 students’ homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and some teachers also lost their homes. Every school in the district was placed under a Level 3 evacuation.
“It was pretty intense because almost our entire district was evacuated,” said Jeff Baerwald, district superintendent.
For Lakeside High School Principal Mike McCune, the first day back brought relief.
“I am just really grateful the building survived, and our kids survived,” McCune said. “I’m excited to get them back here and get started with the school year.”
Ahead of students’ return, district staff and teachers received trauma-informed training.
“Our teachers are prepared to welcome students with open arms,” McCune said. “Our counseling staff is ready to work with students who need that.”
For new parent Nadia Gileff, the return to school marked a return to normalcy.
“We just moved here, so we got evacuated the day after we moved in,” Gileff said. “We just moved back in last night, so we’re really excited to be at school.”
Despite the challenges of recent weeks, McCune said the community’s support has given the district hope.
“Even people who have been impacted by the fires were here serving,” he said. “It just provided us with a lot of hope.”
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