FERRIDAY &045; The 12 little ones in a new Ferriday preschool have their own armed guard.

And they like to tap on the window and wave at her.

The 12, from ages 2 to 4, are hurricane evacuees who are taking advantage of an emergency school opened just for them.

With pre-K slots full at all area schools, the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office saw the need and opened up their Doty Road Substation for the preschool.

Several retired teachers have volunteered to head up the school’s curriculum, the CPSO covers lunch and other expenses and local minister Pat Roller is serving as coordinator of education.

&uot;The sheriff had an idea and we had the staff to pick up and make it happen,&uot; CPSO Administrative Officer Sandy Burget said.

The school started Wednesday, and up to 25 students are expected by the end of the week. Most are from area shelters. The sheriff’s office provides transportation to and from the Ferriday Community Center and church buses bring children from First Baptist in Vidalia and Ferriday.

Evacuees staying in area homes are also welcome.

Retired teacher Jimmie Lancaster said volunteers will begin instructional time today, focusing on colors, shapes and other preschool curriculum. The daily schedule incorporates reading, music, nap and play times.

For 4-year-old Braxton McCready, the Doty Road preschool was a much-needed diversion, mom Melanie said.

&uot;We lived in a second-floor apartment, and we went back and everything was lost,&uot; McCready said. &uot;He doesn’t know how to talk about this. He’s acting out at home. He keeps saying, I want to go home, I want to go home. He doesn’t have a home.&uot;

The McCready’s, of Bay St. Louis, are staying with family in Vidalia. Melanie said Braxton now introduces himself by saying, &uot;I’m Braxton. I’m from Bay St. Louis and my house is underwater.&uot;

But Wednesday, Braxton didn’t seem to be thinking much about the house.

&uot;We ate snack, and we blew bubbles. I can blow a big one,&uot; he said. &uot;And we drank chocolate milk.&uot;

The preschool starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Volunteer teachers work several shifts.

Von Comer, of Slidell, La., is volunteering at the shelter while she stays in Ferriday with family. She’s an elementary school librarian in Mandeville, La.

&uot;This is a perfect place,&uot; she said. &uot;They can turn them loose and let them run. You can’t do that at the shelters.&uot;

Burget said the preschool will remain open as long as needed. She expects numbers to fluctuate. If numbers increase greatly, more volunteers may be needed. Interested volunteers can contact Linda Peek at the Doty Road Substation, 318-757-8874.

The community can also help by donating snack foods for the children or helping with lunches. Contact Peek for more information.