First Test: Elementary School Must Pass Inspection

Only days away from the start of the school year,

Tricia Davis is not as prepared as shed like to be.

The Davidson County teacher is unable to arrange desks, which have not arrived, or decorate bulletin boards, which arent yet on the walls.

Davis and other teachers at the countys new Friendship Elementary School worked for the first time Monday to move boxes, tables and other items to prepare for the start of classes Thursday.

But before the first bell rings, the school must pass a final inspection.

Usually, I would come back weeks before other teachers to organize my classroom, so this is hard for me, said Davis, who teachers a third- and fourth-grade combination class. Were just taking it day by day.

The school was built in response to overcrowding in northeast Davidson elementary schools — primarily Hasty and Wallburg schools – - which grew because of the rapid growth of such communities as Laurel Oak Ranch. The new schools district includes portions of High Point.

Teachers have been allowed to work under a temporary occupancy permit.

The permanent permit is required before students can begin classes.

If the school passes the final inspection — expected today — about 400 students and 57 staffers will fill the hallways on Thursday, principal Debbie Dawson said.

Our maintenance crews and other individuals are working hard to get us ready, she said. Im confident that they will.

The cafeteria and multipurpose room are in need of the most work, but are near completion.

On Thursday and Friday, students will eat bagged lunches until the kitchen is fully operational, Dawson said. Students will work from tables until desks arrive after the start of school. Outside, landscaping work will continue after classes begin.

Despite the work, many teachers are optimistic.

Kindergarten and first-grade teacher Debbie Phillips and teacher assistant Catherine Perdue said they are amazed by the progress since a tour last week.

There was no carpet on the floors or ceiling tiles in, Perdue said.

Phillips worked Monday to set up classroom furniture and attend meetings with other teachers to plan activities.

I think the excitement of the teachers will alleviate concerns of the young children, she said. Their first day would be the same at any other school, except theyll have the benefit of brand new everything.

Media coordinator Dianne Wright spent Monday helping teachers move boxes and set up a printer so they could begin printing classwork.

There is some wondering about how well be ready, so its taking a lot of patience on the part of both the staff and the workers to keep stress levels in check, she said.

More than 6,000 books for the schools media center are expected to arrive Wednesday.

Wright said she is hoping parent volunteers will help to stock shelves.

Computers have not been set up and it could be another week before the school has Internet access, she said.

For those expecting to see a normal classroom for parent night, it will be a miracle, Wright said. But smiling teachers and a new school should ease concerns, she said.

When its all said and done that is whats most important, she said. Everything else will work itself out.

Contact Tarah Holland at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or tholland@news- record.com