By David Eck

ARCHDIOCESE — Students in Catholic schools across the archdiocese had an unexpected vacation as a strong windstorm resulting from Hurricane Ike knocked out power and did minor damage to churches and schools Sept. 14.

Most schools were closed for at least two days as administrators waited for power to be restored and worked out transportation issues.

CT photo/Father James Bramlage

Roofers repaired the damage on the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati on Sept. 16.

St. Lawrence Church in Price Hill suffered steeple damage, and St. John the Baptist Parish in Dry Ridge lost about a third of its shingles on one side of the church.

Other churches, as well as the Athenaeum of Ohio, reported landscaping damage.

"Monday we absolutely had to close school because there was so much damage and you actually could not travel most of the streets," said Kathy Sahle, spokeswoman for Catholic Central School in Springfield. "That means the buses from the city and county could not run either."

The junior/senior high school and Lagonda elementary campus reopened on a two-hour delay on Tuesday, but the school’s Limestone elementary campus couldn’t open until Wednesday.

Although the school was open, power was an issue throughout the community, Sahle said. The junior/senior building opened early for much of the week so students and staff could shower and get ready for the day.

"They brought mirrors and curling irons and blow dryers and things like that so they could help others get ready," Sahle said. "We’ve done whatever we could to accommodate the needs of both the staff and students."

Fenwick High School in Middletown was closed for three days because of power and transportation issues. Students are bused to the school from several public school districts, most of which were closed through Wednesday.

"Our decision to close was affected by the fact hat the school was out of power Monday and Tuesday," said Fenwick principal Cathy Mulligan. "We also have to take into consideration what other districts are closed."

She said the students brought their own stories about the windstorm and life without power. Lessons also included empathy for hurricane victims who suffered more widespread damage.

"Everybody’s adding their personal witness as to what went on during the power outage in their households," Mulligan said. "All of us are thinking this is something we can tell our grandchildren."

Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati was closed through Wednesday because of the power outage. There were some fallen trees at the school’s athletic field, but no dollar loss was available, said Blane Collison, principal.

Schools are allowed to miss up to five days each academic for weather or other calamities. Additional missed days will have to be made up, however the Ohio legislature could pass a law excusing the additional days.

Most schools reported minimal food spoilage.

"We had to throw a bunch of dairy products out," said Dirk Allen, director of marketing and admissions at Badin High School in Hamilton. "We had hamburger for lunch on Wednesday and that was just delivered Wednesday morning."

"We just decided we could be in so we should be in," Allen said. "The attendance was very good. I think the students were ready to come back."