Staff and students at Jefferson Elementary are settling into a refreshed and upgraded school building following summer break. During that time, construction crews worked diligently to complete the school’s renovation and expansion project, transforming both learning and support spaces.
“It's a much bigger school now,” says 2nd-grade teacher Ms. Samantha Moore. “You almost get lost in it trying to find all the new rooms, but everyone has a space now.”
As part of the project, all four second-grade teachers moved into brand-new classrooms, creating a dedicated wing for the grade level, including a pair of restrooms.
“We're used to the two hallways, so they've added so much more on, but they loved it,” Moore explains about students walking into the building for the first time. “They were big fans of the change, and all of the second graders that came up felt like big kids, because they have their own hallway now.”
Along with the second-grade wing, the expansion and renovation project introduced several other key improvements, including:
Kitchen expansion with a new cooler and freezer
Dedicated classrooms for Student Support Services
New office space for PE Teacher, Mrs. Maddox
New entrance and office spaces for school administration
ADA-compliant ramps
Renovated library/media room
“One of the highlights we are especially excited about is the opening of our brand-new library and media center,” explains Mrs. Andria Murrah, Jefferson Elementary Principal. “It has been a couple of years since our Jefferson students have been able to utilize the library, and we can’t wait to see it full of readers and learners once again.”
The project also brought major improvements to the school’s health services. District Nurse Mrs. Mary Johanson has been with the district for 20 years, working at Jefferson Elementary for 16 of those. Her old station was tucked between the principal’s office and the front office, which are two busy areas, but she always made do.
“Quietness was an issue because the phones were always ringing,” she explains. “Or the principal could have been in a meeting.”
However, Mrs. Johanson’s biggest challenge wasn’t the limited space but only having one electrical outlet. One socket powered her refrigerator, which contained medicines, snacks for diabetic students, ice packs, and other medical necessities. The other socket powered her computer.
“When I wanted to do vision and hearing screenings, I had to do some really, really creative thinking to get that done,” she recalls.
Now, Nurse Johanson appreciates having five electrical outlets, including one with four sockets. Her new station also features a larger desk, providing additional space for writing her state reports, a storage area, and a private bathroom.
“The 20 years I've worked here, there's always been change,” she reminisces. “It’s always positive. It’s always positive for our staff, for our families, and for our students.”
More photos of the 2nd-grade wing below:
