Patrons invited to help prep buildings for first day

With the new USD 234 school year starting Thursday, district officials are asking community members to help with last-minute cleaning efforts in school buildings.

Superintendent Bob Beckham sent out an e-mail Monday asking the community "if you are willing and able -- please help us put the 'finishing touches' on the buildings as we make final preparations for students."

The volunteer effort is scheduled to take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. tonight.

Work has continued throughout the summer on the district's $40.8 million school bond projects to make district-wide improvements. Summer work throughout the district has included new high-wind shelters, HVAC, plumbing and wiring, classroom remodels, technology upgrades, and other improvements.

Beckham said he is asking community members who are interested in helping to "bring any combination of the following items" to help clean school buildings: vacuums, brooms, window cleaning supplies and dust cloths."

"There will be someone at each building with a basic plan," he said. "We are so excited the school year is about to start and this will be a fantastic way to come together as a team to support our kids."

Beckham said by telephone Monday it is "not an emergency situation." He wanted to give community members a chance to support teachers and students as the beginning of the new school year nears.

"We're in pretty good shape getting the buildings cleaned and ready for students," he said. "I thought this was a nice way to give parents a chance to contribute and show support for the kids, and put the finishing touches on, for when kids show up Thursday."

Beckham said there has been a "decent response" so far to the request, with seven people committed to helping as of late Monday afternoon.

"We didn't know whether we'd have five or 50," he said. "We'll see what happens tonight and into tomorrow."

Administrators, teachers and staff have in recent weeks been getting access to the school building in which they work, to set up classrooms, offices and other learning areas.

"With very few exceptions, teachers have access to classrooms and furniture," Beckham said. "For the most part district-wide, they can get into rooms and start to settle."

Three areas that workers will focus attention on soon are the special services area at the high school, set up of the high school commons and cafeteria area, and set up of the cafeteria at Winfield Scott School.

"All the furniture sitting there (high school commons) hasn't been put in place," Beckham said. "They're putting in flooring there (Winfield Scott cafeteria) today."

Beckham said Nabholz Construction Services, the construction manager for the bond projects, "moved mountains to get us in there even now.

"I've heard stories of teachers spending long hours on evenings and weekends to get settled. I feel bad we gave them such a short time, but I'm glad we're able to get to this point. And it's going to look really nice."

Beckham said pick-up and drop-off of students at elementary schools and parking at all schools to start the school year "will be a challenge."

Beckham also recently issued a list of items or projects that are ordered or scheduled but will not be completed by the first day of school. These include:

* Winfield Scott -- the secure entry, flexible learning spaces, fencing/drive gates at new parent drive and kindergarten play area, new glass classroom doors, marker boards and tack-wall (bulletin boards) for classrooms, and new north, upper windows in the media center.

* Eugene Ware -- high-wind shelter (kitchen/cafeteria) -- expected to be complete Oct. 1, operable wall on the stage, flexible learning spaces in each grade level area, south service drive, new magnetic white board skins over original slate in 1934 classrooms, and new tack-walls for third grade classrooms.