So....the date is set!  September 5th it is!  The halls will finally be full of hustle and bustle as we start our new school year.  In the meantime, there is still some work to be done; but much has already been accomplished since the last post.  The rooms have received their final coat of paint.  The floor edging (a.k.a. baseboard) is in.  Cubbies and cabinets are filling up empty wall space.  The water fountains are working and most of the glass is in the door windows.  It's nothing short of amazing to see how far we've come!  August 20th is our move-in date, so boxes are being readied and the final purge of unwanted "stuff" is taking place.  Many hands make light work, so if you're interested in helping in that moving process, we'd love to have you!  Until then, enjoy the last few weeks of extended summer; but be ready to hit the ground running as we open the doors of the new St. Joseph Catholic Parish School.

Sodded front lawn

                                                       

Sod on the east side

                                                   

Stairwell entry

Kindergarten

Sink, cabinets, closet and partial cubbie

Stairwell landing

Upstairs edging strip

Elevator's in!

After a long summer break for this blogger, here's the latest look at our new school, sans the multi purpose building and thanks to a helpful photographer.  As you can see, we have lights, paint, flooring, and air conditoning!  And if you were in the space, you'd feel the cool air blowing for sure.  Once again, each room has its own control panel, so everyone can adjust freely.  The rooms alternate in coloring as does the carpet -- quite a nice break from the monotony of having the same colors in every room.  The upstairs hallway is tiled and waiting for the arrival of middle school lockers, a gracious class gift from the 2011-2012 eighth grade graduates.  And as you can tell, those downstairs toilets are also awaiting something-- their stalls!  The tile looks pretty awesome in those bathrooms, though.  As of today, the semi truck has arrived, bringing 200 cabinets.  Lots of work, but it'll really look like voids are being filled once they're in.  That science lab is going to also look sharp once those black lab tables are in along with the cabinets.  Next time around, the multi purpose building will make an appearance.  But as of right now, enjoy what we have and begin thinking about those barren hallways and classrooms soon bustling with activity as the 2012-2013 school year gets underway.

                                                                   Upstairs hallway

  Upstairs classroom

                                                                Upstairs classroom

                                                                 Downstairs ceiling

                                                          Water fountains -- main floor

                                                             Main floor bathroom

                                                                Upstairs science lab

After a two week break and some monsoon rains, we're back in business.  The rain sure did not hamper progress, though.  It's hard to believe those of us in classrooms right now will begin the packing process.  We've been given the encouragement to PURGE; but with the size of our soon to be classrooms, there's lots of space to fill.  We get it, though --- a fresh start is a good thing.  How excited we are about the variety of fresh starts we're about to embark on -- new classrooms, a new GYM (our first ever!), new drop-off and pick-up procedures, a new lunchroom (another first!), a new stage, a chapel, and so much more!  What's equally exciting are the new fingerprints and footprints we'll be making as ALL of us fill our new school and multi purpose building with happiness, joy, learning, unity, and love.  The blueprints will soon be replaced with those fingerprints and footprints.  Here we come....one step closer....

Front of school

                                                              

School entrance -- office to left

                                                          

Downstairs hallway

                                                                

Mr. Martin's office view

                                    

Mr. Martin's office

Classroom shaping up

Getting ready for paint



3rd floor view of multi purpose building

                            

3rd floor view of the walking track -- above lunchroom




Front of multi purpose building

Stairs leading up from multi purpose building to school first floor



Multi purpose building stairs



Side view of school





Another week has flown by and there's lots to show!  Windows are being framed.  Drywall is running rampant.  And the front of the multi purpose building is getting its granite and brick.  With the brick completed on the back of that building, the exterior of the entire project site is just about complete.  Look back at those first blog entries and see the metamorphosis!  It's pretty impressive!  Step into the 2nd floor of the multi purpose building and you'll see the framing for the track turns.  Soon the classrooms behind that track will begin to really take shape with the addition of drywall.  Just look at the school classrooms and hallways and one really can visualize those spaces full of children going from place to place.  Thanks to wonderful weather and a fast pace, there's no telling what next week will have in store for all of us.  You just can't help but be excited!

Window frames on front of school

                                                   





Back of multi purpose building



Upstairs classroom

                            

                                                            

Drywall nearly complete

                                                      

Upstairs hallway

                                                           

Downstairs hallway

                                                             

Multi purpose building entrance

                                                

Multi purpose building entrance

                                                 

Turn on track

                                                                 

Multi purpose building view from 3rd floor

                                        

It appears that the wind did not hamper construction this week.  Or maybe it just pushed everyone inside since so much interior work has been accomplished.  I posted a couple of cornerstone blessing pictures to start us off and then, as you will see, the tour starts in the office but  moves right on upstairs.  How quickly the electrical work seems to have been done considering the drywall is up in all of the upstairs classrooms and in the hallway.  The track and classroom space is now well defined and if you look closely, you'll see that entry into those classrooms is through a recessed doorway, creating somewhat of an alcove.  Pretty good planning for those folks who will soon be walking that track.  My favorite picture this week, though, is the 3rd story view of the multi purpose building.  Although the space is still quite bare, those windows really frame it.  No doubt they will provide a special environment for a theatrical performance since the future stage will be positioned right below them.  And oh how that light will shine down on us as we cut down the championship nets or more importantly, celebrate mass as one whole community.  One step closer, indeed.

                                                      Archbishop Gregory's blessing

                                                           Cornerstone post blessing

                                                                 Future office

                                                            Another office view

                                                         Drywall in upstairs classroom

                                                            Classroom wall going up

                                                          Track and classroom space

                                                3rd floor view of multi purpose building

                                                              Upstairs hallway

And so, our new building and property have been blessed.  How special yesterday was as we were able to be a part of Archbishop Gregory's visit and blessing of our cornerstone.  It was wonderful to see church, school, and the Athens community really come together to acknowledge such an important event in St. Joseph history.  As mentioned before, another step forward has been taken.  Since no one was allowed into the structure during yesterday's gathering, the pictures will speak volumes, especially the one with the drywall.  Yes!  The drywall will be going up soon!   Talk about framing a space!  Those of us who are teachers will soon be visualizing our classrooms and getting more excited about the new school year.  There is truly so much to be grateful for as you see the changes that have been taking place.  From duct work in the multi purpose building to the nearly completed walking track, this space will definitely touch many lives in the not too distant future.     

 

                                                            Track above lunchroom

                                                                      Track

                                                     Track view from retention pond

                                   View of "buzz in" door frame from first floor hall

                                                                DRYWALL!

                                        View of multi purpose floor from 3rd floor

                                            Duct work in multi purpose building

                               Duct work in lunchroom -- warming kitchen back right

                                                  Back of multi purpose building

                                                                Side of school

                                                              Front of school