French students at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) are starting the school year off on a healing note by raising funds for a Louisiana School district.

Heavily impacted by flooding from an August hurricane, the Livingston Parish School District accepted an offer of assistance from the French Honor Society. The unnamed hurricane produced three times more rain in Louisiana than Hurricane Katrina, and students have just recently returned to school — with six school buildings “platooned” and many others featuring makeshift classrooms.

Students in French classes at RFH have hit the ground running with bake sales and other fundraising activities organized by the RFH French Honor Society.  Also planned is a video produced by the French students in conjunction with the RFH Film Club. The video will feature RFH students who were impacted by Superstorm Sandy sharing words of encouragement for the affected children.

“Thank you for reaching out to our district to help us in our time of need,” said Kimberly Albin of the Livingston Parish School district. “We appreciate your efforts!

“We continue to work out the kinks of the new schedule and adjust to our ‘new normal,’ but we will get stronger and stronger as we rebuild our community.”

School supplies, health and hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and other items that have been lost to flooding are needed. If you wish to contribute to the fundraiser, please send a check payable to “RFH French Honor Society” with “Fundraiser for Louisiana” in the subject line. Checks should be mailed to RFH Fundraiser for Louisiana, 74 Ridge Road, Rumson, NJ 07760.

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School