Eastern York High School in York County will begin its school year with remote instruction from Wednesday through Friday, following an EF-2 tornado that caused significant damage on August 20. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado ripped through the area, leading to the roof being torn off the high school and debris scattered inside the building.
The school district announced the remote learning plan on Monday, August 24, via a Facebook update, stating that multiple agencies are evaluating the extent of the damage. This remote instruction applies only to Eastern York High School students. The district plans to reassess the situation on Friday to determine subsequent steps for returning students to the building.
Approximately 50 students were in the gym training when the storm reached its peak, experiencing flickering lights and being forced to shelter for over 40 minutes. The school district acknowledged that this was not the anticipated start to the academic year and expressed appreciation for the patience and support from students, families, and staff as efforts are made to safely return everyone to the high school.
In response to the damage, a GoFundMe campaign was established to support the high school, aiming to raise $20,000 for student and teacher supplies. Disma Campailla, owner of Riverside Subs in York County, encouraged community support, noting past instances where the community raised around $17,000 for a family after a fire. Currently, the fundraiser has collected $250.
