Cherokee County is among school districts statewide prepared to welcome students who might move into their areas after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Beaufort, Dorchester and Charleston are among the school districts which have already enrolled children affected by the storm. As of Friday, Cherokee County schools had not reported any new students enrolling as a result of the hurricane. No statewide totals are yet available.

The state Department of Education has announced that students displaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina meet the definition of “homeless” under the McKinneyVento Homeless Education Act and do not need to provide proof of residency to enroll in school.

These students will not be required to show birth certificates, proof of guardianship or immunization records. The students are eligible for school meals and the same transportation to and from school as other children.

Connie Prozny, director of special services, serves as the Cherokee County School District’s homeless liaison. She works with families requiring assistance.

“We welcome any student who enrolls here. We will make every effort to make sure students who are displaced by Hurricane Katrina have a smooth transition,” Prozny said. “We want those students to be able to continue their education in a safe, stable place at our schools while their parents are trying to find jobs and get their lives back in order.”

It could be several months before South Carolina schools discover how their enrollments could be impacted by students moving in from areas devastated by the deadly storm.

“We don’t know how many of these students will come here,” State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum said, “but we want them to know that they will be warmly received, and that we’ll make their transition for entering school as simple as possible.”

South Carolina residents remember the major assistance from other states following Hurricane Hugo in September of 1989. Many local schools are currently involved in fundraising efforts to assist the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and other charities to help hurricane victims.