CASTLE ROCK – It’s been four months in the making. Four months ago, there were four feet of water in the basement. Four months ago, Meadow View Elementary was no place to be.
In that time the crawl space has been nearly completely replaced. A community of construction workers, insurance personnel, district staff, school staff, and so many others have been working toward this moment. “It’s important to us that the kids get back into school and the teachers are comfortable with the new space,” says Will Crooks of Saunders Construction.
On the morning of January 8, the moment finally arrived.. “Today is such a celebration,” says Assistant Principal Jennifer Bass. It’s a celebration set to the soundtrack of the Castle View High School marching band as they welcome each student and staff as they come back inside the home they left behind.
Energy and excitement fill the air as kids can’t help but talk about all that they are coming back to. “I’m excited that we have the smart board back. I’m excited that we have a bigger playground,” said several students.
Tears of joy roll down the face of the gym teacher as she watches her kids roll around the gym floor that they hadn’t seen in months.
The time away from their home wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t all bad either.
“There were many challenges, but I feel like as a staff we really came together and faced those challenges,” said third-grade teacher Jennifer Lamoreaux.
“How everyone came together was a pretty inspiring thing,” said Bass. The support from their surrounding community is a memory they will always cherish.
After their third first day of school in six months, it just feels right to come back home.
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Find out how the community came together to support Meadow View Elementary when the school's crawl space flooded in August.