Students tour their new classrooms

Sisters Elementary School students conducted a grand tour of their four new, community-built classrooms on Thursday, December 4.

The addition of the classrooms, begun in July, was completed on December 5. The project enlisted the enthusiastic assistance of parents and teachers; donations of supplies and labor from local businesses; and financial contributions large and small from individuals and businesses.

"Whether in labor, time, or expertise, this has been one of the most positive and uplifting experiences I've ever had," said Sisters Elementary School Principal Tim Comfort.

On the Thursday tour, students got a look at their completed classrooms. To mark the occasion for posterity, students wrote their names, ages, and heights on a wall of the classroom they would occupy.

The writings will be covered by the room's chalkboards for many years, so the signatures represent a kind of time acapsule - an idea one of David Hewitt's fifth grade students described as "neat."

The following day, Hewitt's fifth graders were to be the first to move their books and materials into their new classroom.

The privilege was offered because Hewitt's students had occupied the least likely of the substitute classrooms during construction - the windowless attic room (dubbed the penthouse) adjacent to the gymnasium.

Ten-year-old Alyssa Boley said, "It will be special to be in the new classroom. The kids whose parents drop them off and pick them up will be closer to the parking area."

After a moment, Alyssa added, "We'll have a lower ceiling in the new classroom, but I'm not sure the (flush ceiling) lighting will be as good."

Kyla Grant said her reaction when she first saw her new classroom was "Like, whoa!"

Kyla said the attic room was cool on hot days and was sort of cozy, "but in our new room, we won't have the noise from the gym during PE."

Lauren Shultz, glancing at a high shelf loaded with boxes, said, "In the new classroom, Mr. Hewitt will have room for all his things."

Lauren also liked having a big window in the new classroom. She likes being able to look outside when it snows.

Eleven-year-old Kimberly Wilson said, "It's been neat watching the rooms being built."

Kimberly liked the size of the attic room, but didn't like the yellow jackets that somehow got in.

"Up here, we have no windows, and the only place for our backpacks and coats is on the floor," Kimberly said. "It is noisy up here, especially when kids come stomping up the stairs."

Kimberly was looking forward to having no steps to climb all day, to having windows in the classroom, to having a sink and drinking fountain as well as one of the built-in "cubbies" for her books and supplies, and a hanger for her coat.

In January, when classes begin again, Lauren Shultz will no longer have to be concerned about Mr. Hewitt's long row of boxes.

In a connecting room between each two classrooms, Mr. Hewitt and the other teachers will have desks and storage for their particular needs.

"It will be nice to be organized again," Hewitt said. "It's been neat for (the students) to see the support the community has offered."

"In addition to all of the gratifying things that made the building project possible," Principal Comfort said, "so many wonderful little things occurred that it would take much too long to describe all of them.

"But for all of us, the completion of these classrooms has been the best Christmas present we could have had."