DALLAS — Students and staff whose schools were damaged by the Dallas tornado were surprised Wednesday with visits from the Dallas Cowboys and Stars.
Dallas Cowboys players served Papa John’s Pizza, Raising Canes, and Tiff’s Treats to Walnut Hill Elementary teachers, whose classrooms were moved to Tom Field Elementary School.
Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said Walnut Hill Elementary School will likely be a total loss.
“We just want them to have a good day, have a good lunch, and let them know that they are appreciated,” Dallas Cowboys center Joe Looney said.
“It really does go a long way, not having to think about what (I am) going to do for lunch,” Walnut Hill Elementary teacher Lennon Formaggini said.
"Just to be able to be there for them (and) contribute any way we can -- this is a blessing," Dallas Cowboys defensive end Christian Covington said.
Players also spent time with Thomas Jefferson High School and Carey Middle School teachers at their new schools.
Students from Thomas Jefferson High School were moved to the previously vacant Thomas Edison Learning Center after their building was severely damaged.
Cary Middle School's 500 students were split up and moved between Medrano Middle School and Franklin Middle School.
Cary Middle School is the DISD school that was "probably the most damaged," Hinojosa said.
The Cowboys weren't the only professional athletes helping affected teachers and students Wednesday.
The Dallas Stars helped pack and deliver school supplies to all teachers at Franklin Middle School Wednesday. They also gave out tickets to teachers.
“You can never plan for something like that,” Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski said. “It becomes real really quick.”
“Any way we can give back, it’s important to us,” Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn said.
On Monday, officials with FEMA, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the City of Dallas toured tornado-damaged areas, including Walnut Hill Elementary and Cary Middle School.
Judge Clay Jenkins tweeted pictures of crews estimating debris totals and calculating damage costs.
The storms on October 20 in North Texas included 10 tornadoes, the National Weather Service confirmed. Those tornadoes and other storms caused an estimated $2 billion worth of insured damage, according to the ICT.
More on WFAA:
- DISD says it may take at least two years to rebuild schools destroyed by EF-3 tornado
- Young boy's pet tortoise swept away by Dallas tornado found alive after storm clears
- Dallas church holds 'funeral' for its building while defiantly planning to rebuild
- 'This was a bad one': Businesses reopen after Dallas tornadoes
- Jerry Jones just donated $1 million to Thomas Jefferson High School
- Homecoming spirit of Thomas Jefferson students remains high despite a week of challenges