Back-to-School Work Prepares Belleville Students for a Successful Year
Whether you are new to the School District of Belleville, or a returning student or staff member, the schools have worked tirelessly for the last few weeks to ready their learning community for a successful school year. Before staff could begin their in-service training last week, the custodial staff was already preparing the campus for the work of the district for the 2024-2025 school year. District Facilities Director Steve O’Connor is proud of his staff and what they accomplished together this summer. His team was responsible for: washing all the desks, tables, chairs and lockers in the schools; prepping and finish coating the tile floors, deep cleaning carpeted areas; cleaning kitchens from top to bottom; scrubbing and disinfecting bathrooms and locker rooms; cleaning offices; and, making changes to classroom spaces for optimal learning.
O’Connor says, “At the end of summer we are busy getting teachers whatever they need. Staff members Corey Manion, Steph Keyes, Shannon Schwersenska, Ryan Mosso, and Tom Liebert do most of this, with help from students Ethan Butts and Gavin McCollough. Mike Johnson, Steve Vogler and myself take care of the mowing, weed eating, and ball field prep – along with pool and splash pad maintenance. Pete Swenson did the Community Room space. Along with that, we worked on installing 32 flat screen TVs in classrooms.”
Other summer projects included a computer update on the high school HVAC system, LED light installation in the high school; and, water lines to the baseball, softball and practice soccer fields.
All this prep work was done on the heels of training new teachers and bringing staff back to work together and set-up their classrooms for incoming students this fall.
District Administrator Jim Schmitt notes, “We had a great opening day with staff, and their energy forecasts a great school year for our students. We look forward to our first days with students on September 3rd!”
Educators and administrators were excited to welcome PreK-12th grade students for their consecutive Back-to-School nights last Wednesday and Thursday.
Principal Kelsey Schmit had a wonderful response to the elementary school’s Back-to-School night last Thursday. The building and learning spaces were ready and students flowed into their homerooms to find their desks and cubbies for the year. Excitement for learning is already palpable on these last few days of August as students and families enter the building with their bags of school supplies.
Principal Schmit notes, “We have continued to use family feedback to improve the Back-to-School Night experience for our families. This year’s event went smoothly as families and their children made many positive connections with our staff.”
No matter what age, these nights allow students and their families the chance to get back into their school buildings, meet their teachers, receive important messages from staff, and prepare themselves for the year ahead. A lot of hard work goes into planning for a new academic year, but when everyone comes together it is so rewarding! While summer offers a wonderful time to enjoy family and friends, summer sports and enrichment activities, many families are now anticipating fall and excited for all the opportunities the Belleville Schools have to offer their students.
