MCPSS holds open house for MHS parents at Clark-Shaw

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Murphy High School students are sharing the Clark-Shaw magnet school campus after the Christmas Day tornado severely damaged the campus on South Carlen Street.

Murphy High School parents have not been allowed onto the Clark-Shaw Magnet School campus until an open house Monday and curious parents came with questions.

Is it safe? What's the learning environment like?  How congested are the classrooms?

“I was very curious what it was like because hearing the kids talk about it, you would think they were down under,” said the aunt of a Murphy High School student, Cheryl Ayler.

Alvin Williams said he wanted to see the environment his daughters are learning in and how the portables are laid out. He said he also wanted to learn about safety precautions officials have implemented for rain or other emergency situations.

“It's safe. We have a safety plan for fires and for severe weather. The children have not missed a beat. They've missed a few days in school but they're in class, instructions are being delivered, and they're comfortable,” said Murphy High School Principal William Smith.

He said all the portable classrooms have wireless internet, are well lit and have their own AC and heating units.

Parents said they are pleasantly surprised.

“At first, I was nervous about it with the weather and conditions, but thinking back, I was in a portable classroom and I turned out fine,” said Williams.

“It's much better than I anticipated. It's really up to standards,” said Ayler.

There are 60 portables total, 81 classrooms in all including a back building that's being utilized for computer and science labs.

School officials said the portables can comfortably hold 40 students.