Mountain Empire Provides Safe Place for Students During Power Outages

During weeks of strong winds, dry weather, and dangerous fire conditions in January, Mountain Empire Unified School District has been forced to close schools due to power shutoffs. 

This week, Mountain Empire was able to get a generator to power its high school campus and leaders used the space to provide a safe environment for it's students. 

The district's expanded learning team created Power Up Camp for families with TK-12th grade students impacted by the public safety power shutoffs. The support camp operated Jan. 22 to 24 and provided meals, activities, recreation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Activities included a ventriloquist show, student concert, arts, and even tours of the bus barn and transportation facility. 

The camp has been open at Mountain Empire High School this week, and the special programming was added at Potrero Elementary for Jan. 24 once generators were in place.

"Our parents and guardians need to know their children have a safe, welcoming place to be, and the ability to continue working to provide for their family," said Patrick Keeley, superintendent of Mountain Empire School District. "Schools really are the hub of the community, and providing support for our families during power shutoffs was truly a necessity."

The district covers more than 600 miles in the southeast corner of the county in mountainous terrain that often receives the strongest wind gusts, making it difficult for San Diego Gas and Electric to check power lines and restore power.