As floodwaters from tropical storm Harvey continue to rise in the nation’s fourth most-populous city, well over 100 districts across southeastern Texas remain shuttered during what for some would have been the opening days of the academic year. The closures affect hundreds of thousands of students.

Canceled are the back-to-school barbecues. Postponed are the sounds of clanging lockers and squeaky new sneakers.

Elongated are the first-day jitters, as summer vacation extends for an extra, harrowing week across Houston and surrounding areas.

The storm and its aftermath don’t just mean extra summer days, of course—many children will return to schools that have suffered significant structural damage, such as broken windows, flooded gymnasiums, and totaled classroom supplies. Beyond that, the emotional and academic impacts of the natural disaster could plague students’ psyches and school successes for years to come. As of Wednesday morning, the storm’s death toll had risen to 30.

Read the source article at The Atlantic

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Hayley Glatter is a former editorial fellow at The Atlantic.