Superintendent David Fleishman closed school Monday due to Hurricane Sandy, with possible closings on Tuesday as well.
Sandy, set to hit Boston sometime early Monday, is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding tides, and possibly some snow. Newton South students are preparing for the storm and the damage it may cause.
Freshman Matthew Barnett said his house is at risk because it lies at the bottom of a hill and is prone to flooding. “My family is moving most of our stuff out of the basement and upstairs.” Barnett said, adding that his parents have purchased water, batteries, and gasoline for their generator.
South parent Joni Mackler warns that the storm is no laughing matter for property owners. “We had downed trees and power lines and a major power surge during Irene [last year],” Mackler said.
Mackler has also prepared heavily for Sandy. “[This time], we secured all outside items and cleaned leaves from our gutters,” she said. “We have gathered flashlights and a radio and have waters down in the basement fridge. We will also unplug most of our major appliances and computers.”
The Newton community has reason to be on guard. Associated Press Science and Meteorology journalist Seth Borenstein notes that the whole of this hurricane is much more than the sum of its parts, and even dubs the storm “a freakish and unprecedented monster.”
According to Borenstein, the term “Frankenstorm” was coined due to the storm’s “stitched together” nature as well as the potential damage and havoc it may bring.
Some students share this apprehension. Junior Hanna Berga spent much of the weekend dreading the oncoming weather. “I just keep repeating to myself that storms are generally hard to predict,” Berga said, “and the predictions have already been toned down as it loses power.”
Many South students, however, say that their fear of the storm has mellowed as more information is being released. Junior Julian Montagut said that the hype over the storm may be unnecessary given that many heavy storms and hurricanes rarely make it north with such an impact.
“I’m personally not very worried about the storm because I feel like a lot of people are exaggerating its magnitude,” Montagut said. “I think that people are kind of overreacting.”
“I’m really excited about the storm; I think harsh weather is so much fun,” Barnett said.
South students have also taken to Facebook, announcing their joy over the school cancellation and sharing their plans for the day off. Their obvious delight, though, raises concerns about whether students are preparing for the storm seriously enough.
School cancellation may also affect class schedules. Montagut said he worries that the hurricane’s proximity to the end of the term will affect students’ final grades as teachers attempt to cram assignments into the final week.
Although students will enjoy the three-day weekend, Newton residents must be careful in the inclement weather.
“I think it is better to be safe than sorry,” Mackler said. “If the storm is not as bad as predicted, great, but Mother Nature must be respected.”
Check back to NSHSDenebola.com for storm updates.
PHOTO NOTE: Standing on the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Chrissy Ehrhart turns towards her daughter Marly Brooks, 9, of Berlin, Maryland, because of the pelting rain and sand as they watch the impact of the storm effects from Hurricane Sandy, which has yet to arrive in the region, Sunday, October 28, 2012. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT)
