Ranney School Unites After the Storm

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Ranney School community united like never before to support its families and neighbors in the Jersey Shore community.  While school was out of session for a number of days due to the widespread impact of the storm and first major snowstorm, the school administration reached out to families to assure their safety and determine how best to support each other during this extraordinary time of recovery on the East Coast.

“The recent weeks have brought enormous challenges to many; however, the manner in which people stepped up to the moment—teachers, administrators, students, parents, the Parents’ Association (RSPA) and others—serves as a permanent symbol of our school's mission,” said Head of School, Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff. “Our school must not only thrive during the good times, but through the most challenging times as well.” The school’s Communications Department and members of the Headmaster’s Cabinet communicated daily with the Ranney community in a number of ways due to power outages and limited email and cell phone access of parents and faculty–through the school website, email alerts, text messages and social media, including Ranney School’s  Twitter page [@ranneyschool] for updates on the status of the school and essential news such as the operation of local buses.  After responding to those directly affected, the team immediately began planning relief efforts.

“Helping families to find new homes to live in was incredibly difficult over those first few days; fortunately we were able to find new, temporary homes for most of these families, which was made possible by parents offering assistance and uniting others who could help,” added Dr. Sykoff.  “This showing of support was truly amazing to be a part of and represented the enormous compassion of our school community.”

After several days of recovery following the storm, Ranney opened its’ doors to members of the community for a warm place to relax, charge electronics and use on-campus facilities such as the Paulus Library’s Technology and Media Center—or to simply reconnect with neighbors over coffee and find out how they could help each other.  During this time, the community came together to address emergency situations and students witnessed the importance of service, the value in moving forward with strength and optimism and experience the pride of their home state of New Jersey and its unwavering optimism to “Restore the Shore.”

Administration and members of the Parents’ Association joined together quickly to formulate a plan of action, which included showing support for storm victims in both the Ranney community and surrounding towns.  RSPA President, Mimi Keenan, explained the three-phase system the Parents’ Association developed to guide the initiatives of the community. “At such a difficult time, it is important for us as a community to pull together and help one another. We researched the best ways for our families to help and have tiered our response based on the greatest needs.”

As students and faculty returned to school, Phase 1 was well underway including a collection of items to donate to Project Rebuild and Recover, a local Hurricane Sandy relief group that ensures 100 percent of all donated items will be immediately transported and distributed to Jersey Shore communities.  The collection brought an overwhelming response of generosity and support—exhibiting a warm and welcoming sense of community.  “Ranney is a family who helps one another recover from setbacks without thinking twice,” said Patricia Marshall, Associate Head for Academic Administration and Lower School Head.  “What we have seen from our community is a natural draw to ‘come together’ in order to develop strength, power and optimism in numbers and togetherness.”

Phase 2 will also target the needs of storm victims, supporting Lunch Break and the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  Ranney School will continue its support throughout the holiday season in Phase 3 by continuing to focus on the specific needs of those affected by Hurricane Sandy and hosting the schools’ fourth annual benefit concert to support Holiday Express, a local charity that delivers music, food, gifts and financial support during the holiday season, on December 6.

Students and their parents also followed the examples of the RSPA and school administration by voicing their concern and desire to help. “It is apparent how close, caring and interconnected our community is,” said David Fischer, Head of the Middle School. “It was very warm and empowering to see our faculty and parents reaching out to others, offering their homes, time, resources and whatever else they could assist with.” Ranney parents, like many New Jersey residents who were able to, were seen helping during the crisis  by cooking for neighbors in distress, working in the community to help clean out damaged homes, sort and distribute clothing, water and supplies or offer other means of support. Students have already begun organizing fundraisers to contribute to the American Red Cross and have volunteered in shelters.

“Tough times can truly bring out the best in people, especially when they are part of a caring, considerate community, one that values each person and actively seeks to live and work in ways that bring out the best in others,” said Head of Upper School, Paul Zanowski. “We have seen families pass on generators to others as their power was restored, cleaning up storm damage, opening their homes and providing transportation and supplies to those in need—it is touching to witness these endless acts of kindness.”

According to Dr. Sykoff, the faculty and teachers always had the students’ best interests in mind during the crisis. “Our teachers are not only exceptional teachers; they are perfect examples of caring people. At these junctures we see the power of great teachers—willing to go far and beyond their roles to support their students, both academically and emotionally.”

Just a week following the re-opening of school, Ranney thespians, inspired by the community, were determined to stay on schedule and open the Upper School play Shakespeare’s comedy, Twelfth Night, as planned, November 15 through November 17. Student Council and the Tri-M Music Honor Society sold concession items and flowers during intermission, with all proceeds benefitting the American Red Cross – as a way to come together as a community, laugh and honor the hard work and talent of the 36 students who form the cast and crew.  

“These events bring out the best in people and we witnessed that during these challenging times,” said Dr. Sykoff. “Ranney’s success has never been ephemeral but instead substantive and everlasting.” All Ranney School divisions, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School, representing age three to Grade 12, will continue to support families and local relief efforts as the community recovers from Hurricane Sandy. For more information and how individuals can help, please visit the Ranney School Hurricane Sand Relief Efforts page on the school website: www.ranneyschool.org/hurricane_efforts.