NATCHEZ &045; The two local public school districts don’t know what to expect or how to prepare, but they know what they have to do.

So representatives from Natchez-Adams schools and Concordia Parish schools hit the shelters Thursday with registration forms and information in hand.

A stark reality for all, close to 2,000 area hurricane refugees in shelters are now residents, some for longer than others.

And children need education.

&uot;What we have realized as a reality of the storm is there will be a lot of people displaced,&uot; said Beverly Raines, director of public relations for the Natchez schools. &uot;We are urging them to enroll their children in the school system.&uot;

A rough estimate from Raines for anywhere between 50 to 100 new students will mean logistical problems for the district.

&uot;Right now we are kind of feeling our way through it,&uot; she said. &uot;But we want to ensure the children get education.

&uot;Our advice would be to go ahead and enroll. We would treat them as we would treat a homeless family.&uot;

Parents at the Steckler Multipurpose Center shelter said school is something they are ready for.

&uot;I think they are missing out on their education,&uot; mom Donna Whitehead said of her four children ranging from grades one through six.

Whitehead plans to enroll all four in Natchez schools.

&uot;I’ve definitely thought about it,&uot; dad Alfred Singleton Jr. said. &uot;Right now a lot of kids are missing valuable time in school.&uot;

Singleton has a child in pre-K and one in second-grade.

Eighth-grader Keishaune Keppard of New Orleans said she was ready to go back to school, and wanted to go to school in Natchez.

&uot;It’s quiet and I see some of the people here are nice,&uot; she said.

Other parents said they were considering enrolling their children, but weren’t sure how long they would be in town.

Raines said anyone who may be here for any extended period should get their children in school.

&uot;Two to three months, 60 to 90 days, that’s almost December,&uot; she said. &uot;We don’t want the children to get behind.&uot;

Since many of the coastal area schools are either completely gone or destroyed, the local districts won’t have student records to work from. But when students leave Natchez, they’ll have records to take, Raines said.

Concordia Parish Superintendent Kerry Laster said she had no number estimates for refugee students.

&uot;I think we’ll have a considerable boost,&uot; she said. &uot;I think this is a long term thing. We’ve already had some children to enroll.&uot;

Both districts are looking into bus stops at the shelters, the need for more teachers and physical space.

Overcrowding could become a problem at some Natchez schools, Raines said.

All schools are also preparing to handle the emotional stress on both evacuee children and local students. Counselors will be available, and referrals to professionals can be made.

&uot;They need to not let those children miss any days,&uot; Laster said. &uot;They’ll regress. We are going to make sure counselors work closely with the children.&uot;

State money for this year has already been allocated to both districts. That funding will not increase with enrollment, but special relief money is a possibility from the state levels and the federal level.

Refugee teachers looking for work have also approached both districts. Raines said these teachers may be needed. Laster doesn’t see an immediate need for additional hires, but said she would use the teachers as substitutes.

Students staying in shelters in Natchez are asked to call the central office building at 601-445-2800 for more information. Parents should bring their children to the appropriate school on Tuesday for registration.

In the parish, students will attend the school in the town of the shelter they are staying in. Students staying in someone else’s home should attend school in that town.

Contact the parish school board at 318-336-4226, ext. 237 or ext. 111.

Uniform requirements in both districts will be waived for evacuees and the school will provide necessary supplies.

Both schools are asking for donations of uniforms, new or used, and supplies. Contact the central office building to donate.