Hillsborough Education Foundation Collecting Donations For Lee Elementary

TAMPA, FL – While many people in Tampa are recovering from the effects of Hurricane Irma, it may take much longer for Lee Elementary Magnet School to recover from the fire that tore through the campus following the storm.

Along with a fund it established in the wake of the fire, the Hillsborough Education Foundation currently is collecting books, supplies and other essential items needed for the school’s 329 pupils and 25 teachers impacted by the fire.

In addition to monetary contributions, the Hillsborough Education Foundation is accepting donations of the following supplies for the world studies and technology magnet school:

Classroom needs

• Art supplies
• Craft supplies
• Engineering-type building set
• Legos
• Musical instruments (violins, guitars, African drums and other string and percussion cultural instruments)
• Cultural costumes, props and hats
• Flags, posters, games puzzles and literature from other continents
• Supplies for classes on sewing, yoga, chess, photography weaving and cryptography
• Items and incentives for the student store

Teacher needs

• 800 personal white boards
• Painter’s tape/sticky tack
• Copy paper (white and/or color)
• Lamination paper
• Highlighter tape
• Sheet protectors
• Clipboards

Donated supplies can be dropped off at the Hillsborough Education Foundation office, 2306 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, weekdays until Friday, Sept. 29 from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Financial contributions can be made online at the Hillsborough Education Foundation website. Monetary donations will be used to replace “one-of-a-kind” teaching tools, according to the foundation’s website. Once Lee Elementary and its students are fully supported with supplies, any remaining supplies will go toward supporting students at other Title I schools, the foundation reported on its website.

Tampa Fire Rescue: Fire Marshall's Report 'Hopefully' Will Be Released This Week

Fire crews were called to Lee Elementary Magnet School of World Studies and Technology at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, the fire department said. Responders reported seeing heavy smoke and flames coming from the northwest portion of the roof. Second and third alarms brought more equipment and personnel to fight the flames inside the three-story brick building. Once the roof began to show signs of collapse, the department said firefighters were pulled from inside the building.

Smoke from the fire was visible across East Tampa, witnesses said on social media. The Tampa fire marshal said Wednesday, Sept. 13 that the blaze is under investigation, but there were no indications early on of any foul play and the fire did not appear suspicious.

According to Jason Penny, Tampa Fire Rescue’s public information officer, the department is hoping to release the fire marshal’s investigation report next week.

Hillsborough County Public Schools developed a plan to keep students and staff together. Starting Monday, Sept. 18, the students and staff were moved to Lockhart Elementary Magnet School, less than a mile away from Lee at 3719 N. 17th St.

Lockhart Elementary had space for nearly 300 students and is also located next to Young Middle Magnet School. For the first two to three weeks, the older students from Lee Elementary will temporarily be taught in classrooms on Young’s campus, while the district installs portable classrooms at Lockhart within a few weeks. About 329 students and 49 staff members and teachers were displaced.

In addition, Superintendent Jeff Eakins has authorized an emergency supplement for every staff member at Lee Elementary School. All full-time employees at Lee Elementary received a $1,000 emergency supplement in their bank accounts on Friday, Sept. 15. Eakins said the supplement will help staff members replace lost personal items and items they cherished in their classrooms and offices during the fire.

Main image: Faculty from Lee Elementary and Lockhard Elementary Magnet listen to Superintendet Jeff Eakins on Friday, Sept. 15

Main image and second video via Hillsborough County Schools Facebook page; first video via HCPSVideoChannel YouTube channel; third video via Tampa Fire Rescue Facebook page

Patch staff member Mike Carraggi contributed to this report