Sierra House Elementary opens fully on Tuesday

Crews have cleared out of Sierra House Elementary and it is set to reopen to all grades on Tuesday, October 1.

Families, students, and staff got the good news Monday.

"The kids and staff are thrilled to be back," said Lake Tahoe Unified School District Spokesperson Shannon Chandler. "It's like a second home so I imagine that everyone is relieved and comforted to be back."

A November 11, 2018 fire destroyed a hallway of the upper pod along with a reading room and classroom. Smoke went into the attic space and spread through a large area of the school, including the multi-purpose room. ServPro of South Lake Tahoe, a fire and water cleanup and restoration franchise, went into the school to clear out burned debris.

Parents, teachers and LTUSD leadership held a few heated meetings after the school reopened on November 14. The decision to reopen so soon was questioned, especially when students and teachers reported headaches, some respiratory issues, and upset stomachs. Kids had lunch outside due to the air in the cafeteria and some classes had to double up in order to stay out of the affected "upper pod" area.

After the school closed for renovations to be completed by Belfor Property Restoration, the students spent the rest of the school year split between Al Tahoe Elementary and South Tahoe Middle School. In August, attempts to open by the LTUSD first day of school failed and students started late, only to be split once again between Al Tahoe Elementary and part of Sierra House.