TAMPA, Fla. — Students at Community Montessori School in Tampa are waiting to get back to class after their buildings were flooded by Hurricane Helene. 

Community Montessori sits on six acres off of Memorial Highway in Tampa. After the storm, there was three feet of water inside most of the buildings. Much of the school was destroyed.

Nancy Bowman started the school 35 years ago. She is determined to get students and staff back into the classrooms soon. For the last few days, she and her team of workers, staff and volunteers have been throwing out damaged items and putting the rest in storage. The school means a lot to Bowman.

“It’s my life,” said Bowman. “It’s my life. It’s really my life. I’m not letting go of it, though. It’s too much to think about it that way. I’m just going to do it. Just do it. That’s my motto.”

The school also means a lot to the children. Fifth grader Gabriel Diaz said he can’t wait to return.

“It’s really sad looking — the place like this,” Diaz said. 

So far, the nonprofit has raised a little over $20,000, with a goal of $100,000, to rebuild Community Montessori. 

Meanwhile, the founder said she wants to make sure the children get back to learning soon. She’s been searching for temporary locations and expects to resume classes for some students by next week.