PHOTO: Creatives Advisor Rain March talks to students in her new classroom space during the PPOS Back to School Night.
After three months of being excluded from their school building — due to a $1.5 million renovation project — Pagosa Peak Open School students, parents, and staff were again welcomed through the doors, prior to the first day of school.
The doors themselves were new.
The final inspection on August 16 granted permission for the school community to meet their advisors (teachers) and tour the building… and get set up for the school year… during the PPOS ‘Back to School Night’ hosted that same day.
In a sense, it was business as usual… with families filling out required paperwork while students scoped out their classrooms. Families met the school’s new parent volunteer committee members, collected information about the after school programming available through the Forge and the Pagosa Arts Initiative, and marked their calendars for the informational sessions about this year’s Puerto Rico service trip.
“It was our most well-attended back to school night,” Site Manager Jeanelle Wychesit said.
Staff had been granted permission into the building the day before the rest of the PPOS community… throwing their energy into setting up their classroom spaces. Students and families noted the efforts and changes to the building.
“It feels like a real school!” remarked middle schooler Shayanne.
Families were mostly surprised at the cafeteria and commercial kitchen space. In addition, doorways, walls, bathroom sinks, a new fire alarm system, upgraded ventilation, a new entryway and increased door security were also added.
The PPOS lunch and breakfast program will now be fully housed at the school.
“We are excited to have made these upgrades for our school community,” School Director Angela Reali-Crossland said.
Students are also excited to have a dedicated art space with Creatives Advisor Rain March.
“It’s so beautiful!” said second-grader Ella.
Emily Murphy is School Director at Pagosa Peak Open School, the first District-authorized charter school in Archuleta County. Prior to her appointment as School Director, Emily filled various roles at PPOS including Project-Based Learning advisor, instructional coach, and assistant director.