Paula Peterson
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Students at Sierra House Elementary School will be walking through the doors of their school for the first time this year, two weeks after the rest of those in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District.
When a fire damaged the school in November 2018, little did anyone know that it would take almost 10 months to reopen.
On Thursday, teachers were able to see their classrooms for the first time in months with loads of boxes to be unpacked and their contents set up by Monday. LTUSD custodial, maintenance, and IT staff, the Belfor team, electricians, plumbers, phone and other wiring technicians, as well as teachers and administrators, were all over the campus working to get the school ready for occupancy.
Some teachers at the school Thursday were concerned at all that had to be done in two days. LTUSD School Board President Larry Reilly was on hand to speak to the teachers and address any concerns they might have.
Principal Karin Holmes said they are excited to be back home after spending most of the last school year split up in temporary quarters at Al Tahoe Elementary and South Tahoe Middle School. She is looking forward to welcoming the students and parents back to school. Holmes said all was going well by Thursday afternoon and classrooms were coming around.
There will likely be finishing touches put on the rooms after hours, as well as some logistical issues to be worked out over the first few days of school, said LTUSD Public Information Officer Shannon Chandler.
Belfor, the restoration company tasked with the work since December, will be working through the weekend prior to student arrive to get last-minute details completed.
All final classroom assignments can be found in the Aeries Parent Portal and will be posted at the school site after 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 8.
For all grades except Kindergarten, the start time is 9:10 a.m. Kindergarten orientation with parents will be held at the start time of 10:00 a.m. on Monday and running until 11:15 AM. Pick up time for all students is 3:20 PM.
There will be some preplanned outdoor field trips during the first week of school for some of the students, including Farm Day at Camp Richardson.
In a letter to parents and staff, LTUSD Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater and Principal Holmes said this:
Upon your arrival on Monday, you will see construction workers and vehicles as they continue to complete four classrooms in the upper pod. The construction area will be sealed off from students and parents. Access to classrooms in the upper pod will be from the outside entrances next to the playground. All classrooms will be marked with teachers’ names.
As teachers are moving back into the school and prepping their classrooms over the next two days we ask that you please do not enter the school grounds.
As the final four classrooms in the upper pod are being completed, Ms. Rider’s and Ms. Tabor’s classes will be doubled-up and they will be co-teaching with their grade levels during this brief period. As soon as the rooms are completed they will move in.
The following construction-related items have occurred this week:
– Office lights installed. Fire Alarm devices installed.
– Nurse’s Office doors installed. Ceiling complete.
– MPR soffit painted blue.
– Corridor lights and fire alarm complete.
– Lobby walls and ceilings complete. Large lumber round to go up Thursday morning.
– Staff restroom ceilings and lights complete. Tile is grouted.
– R9 – R12: Ceilings, cabinets, carpets, near completion.
– Upper pod restrooms grout complete today.
We welcome all Sierra House families back to school! Teachers are very excited to see their students’ smiling faces, to jump into learning, and make this year the best and most successful year yet! Welcome back!