Disaster brings young students together

>>> we're back and it is time for our "making a difference report tonight. it may take a disaster like hurricane sandy to make kids feel how much they miss school. a lot of families have been uprooted, and neighbors are contributing as much as they can to get their sense of security back. our report tonight from nbc's rehema ellis.

>> reporter: second graders from two schools in one classroom, brought together by disaster.

>> hurricane sandy was like a tornado. and a storm.

>> reporter: more than 400 students from this school on staten island have been relocated to the nearby petriti school. the principal of ps-52 says the generous people are overwhelming.

>> this will allow them to heal more quickly.

>> reporter: to make it happen took a village.

>> everybody is absolutely working together from the custodians, to the security staff, the kitchen, the school aides, power professionals.

>> reporter: conference rooms are now makeshift classrooms. one classroom serves as a supply store. from lunch boxes, to backpacks, to rulers, everything here is donated, available to students and teachers, free of charge. did you have one of these before?

>> i actually did.

>> reporter: technology company 1 e spent the day surprising students who lost the most. this 12-year-old remembers when water rushed into his house and he climbed over a fence to safety. did you think you would get out okay?

>> no, i thought i was going to die.

>> reporter: what does it mean to you, santiago?

>> it is very special to me.

>> reporter: why?

>> because i had nothing, and now i have a lot of friends and people that care about me.

>> reporter: frightening experiences and incredible loss make these gifts even more meaningful.

>> thank you.

>> reporter: moments of joy, as people work together to lift kids' spirits.

>> i think they're like angels.