Their students won’t arrive until after Labor Day, but teachers in the Leavenworth public school system have returned to work.
“I’m excited,” said Stacy Graff. “I have an excellent staff.”
Graff is the principal of the new Henry Leavenworth Elementary School.
Other school districts in the area already have started classes. But the Leavenworth public schools are getting off to a later start this year to allow personnel time to get buildings ready following construction work. The first day of classes will be Sept. 7.
Henry Leavenworth Elementary School was built at 20th and Vilas streets as a result of the $57.8 million bond issue. The bond issue also has paid for additions and renovations to Anthony and David Brewer elementary schools and Leavenworth High School. The bond issue also has paid for the new Pioneer Stadium at the high school.
Teachers at Henry Leavenworth Elementary had praise for their the new building Thursday.
“I never thought I would see the day that Leavenworth would have this type of facilities,” said librarian Amy Stockton-Miller.
New teachers in the school district reported for work Tuesday. All others came back from their summer break Wednesday, Superintendent Kelly Harris said.
Graff, whose first official day was Aug. 9, said Thursday that the Henry Leavenworth teachers haven’t had much time to work at preparing their classrooms because they’ve been involved in professional development training. But teachers were supposed to be given the chance to work in their classrooms beginning today and continuing Monday and Tuesday.
“By Sept. 1, we want to be ready to go,” he said.
That’s the day of Back to School Night.
Harris said teachers are following similar work schedules at other school buildings except for Leavenworth High School.
Teachers have been unable to work in Leavenworth High School this week because of construction. Harris said employees will be able to enter the school Monday following an inspection that was scheduled for today.
This week, high school teachers have been gathering at Richard W. Warren Middle School.
Harris said the work schedule for high school staff was front-loaded this week with in-service activities so they can spend next week getting classrooms ready.
While most areas of the high school will be open, some construction work will continue there after the start of the school year.
