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Nobody is saying anything bad about
the school, students included. Principal Christa Healy says she
loves everything about it. There have been a few "new building"
problems, but nothing that they couldn't work with. She also says
that the kids love their new school.
Third-grade teacher Donita Biggs said
that the safety features and security are a big plus, and the
solid floors are an improvement over the building they were in
last year. She also says that the kids love it, that it is a much
quieter environment and better for learning. She told me she could
go on for hours telling me how great this school is, compared with
several others she has worked in across central Illinois.
Secretary Judy Aper loves having her
big office and says it is wonderful to have the nurse's office
right there by her office. "The environment is bright and
cheerful," she said. "The kids love it, and they can study more."
Mrs. Kuhlmyer, the district's band
director, says she is thrilled to finally have a band room. At the
old Central building, she had to use the gymnasium for band, and
it was also used for a cafeteria. Another feature of the band room
is storage lockers for the students' instruments. The students
used to have to leave their instruments in an open hallway by the
kindergarten classroom.
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The kindergarten teacher, Mrs.
Bryant, also loves the new school, as does librarian Sharon White.
"I especially love the library!" she said. "It was overwhelming
when we walked in and saw everything jumbled in the middle, but
it's coming together."
The teachers and staff were all
correct when they said that the students love their new school.
Kelci, a sixth-grader, said, "It's
good. It's air-conditioned."
Another sixth-grader, Nikkita Zeidler,
agrees. "It's wonderful. Better than the old school. I love the
library. It's huge. And I love the idea of the phone thing." She
explained that every classroom is equipped with a telephone,
complete with an intercom system, so that teachers can call each
other, the office or parents whenever they need to.
The students all expressed similar
sentiments. Every child interviewed in a half hour loved the new
school.
First-grader Cameron said, "It's so
great!" His brother Michael says it is beautiful and awesome.
Enthusiasm
for school is hard to come by. If this kind of attitude about
coming to school results in better grades and better study habits,
the town of Lincoln and the families with children in Central
School will be richly blessed.
[Ruth
Halpin] |
