Teacher Karen Mulford returned to her fifth-grade classroom Friday at Seven Oaks Elementary School in Wesley Chapel to find a thank you note on the shelf.

  • Seven Oaks Elementary School in Wesley Chapel among Irma shelters
  • Teachers return to find thank you notes from many
  • One note: 'I sharpened your pencils!'

"'Thank you very much for the use of your classroom during our time of need. Without it, we would’ve had no where to go,'" Mulford read aloud.

Like so many schools throughout the Bay area, Seven Oaks transformed into a shelter during Hurricane Irma.

Before they went home, many people who stayed safe inside the schools left messages for the staff who took them in.

A little girl who stayed at Bevis Elementary School in Hillsborough County wrote, "Thank you for letting us take shelter in your room! I sharpened your pencils!"

Another person who stayed at Miller Elementary in Manatee County wrote "Thank you Mrs. Luna, your classroom is awesome!"


Messages were written on white erase boards. Others were left behind on paper. Some people even stopped by later in person.

"These people gave up time with their families during a hurricane and they helped us," said Monika Dapcic, who stayed at Seven Oaks Elementary with her family for two days.

While all of the thank you notes are appreciated, teachers like Mulford said they were more than happy to open up their classrooms.

"To know that this building was available to so many families in need makes me feel wonderful," Mulford said. "I'm so glad they had a safe place to go in the time of the hurricane."