When students enter Plainview South Elementary to begin the 2023-24 school year, a long year of waiting will be complete. During the past year, the former La Mesa elementary school building underwent a complete renovation and transformation in anticipation of re-opening this year as the permanent location of Plainview South Elementary. Jennifer Hughey, principal of South Elementary, is excited for the new school year to begin, “The construction is complete, and we are in the final stages of getting everything where it goes. Some teachers began setting up their classrooms this week. Everyone will be here next week, so it will be a busy time as we get all the decorations up in all the classrooms. The other elementary campuses were new last year, so I am looking forward to our kids getting to experience all the new that we have this year.”
Each grade housed in Plainview South will be on a separate hallway. Students will enter their hallway through arches of brightly colored balloons. On three of the six hallways students will find that their hallway has its own library and makerspace room. The makerspace is an area where students build and create. Makerspace is a hands-on way of problem-solving and learning. Mrs. Hughey says that makerspace is quickly becoming a favorite among students.
Donna Barton, beginning her 8th year with PISD, looked with wonder at the already stocked teacher supply room. Back in her classroom, she said, “The campus is so well set up and thought out. I am excited about getting everything in the classroom and seeing the kids’ reaction to all the new things.”
Elizabeth Martinez shares that same excitement. “I am super excited to be in the new building and super excited for the kids to be in a brand-new school with a new gym and a new music room and new makerspaces.” In her 5th year with PISD, Ms. Martinez wants Plainview South to be a haven for all the students. “I want the students to feel at home. I try every year to let the kids feel like this is their home away from home – their second home.”
Both teachers are also looking forward to more than just seeing the students. “I work with a great team. I am looking forward to being here at the new campus,” said Ms. Martinez. Mrs. Barton said, “I love the people I work with and am looking forward to working with them again this year.”
On the south side of the building, grass is being rolled out in the playground areas. “Last year the kids at North and Central did not have an outdoor play area until several weeks after the school year started. I am glad that we will have these areas for our students from day one,” Mrs. Hughey said. In addition to the outdoor playgrounds, South Elementary has a new gym, complete with a scoreboard and a climbing wall for the students.
For a few more days the halls of Plainview South Elementary will be filled with the echoes of the recent construction. The sound of teachers personalizing each classroom will begin to replace the sounds of construction and renovation. Then, finally, after months of waiting, the halls will fill with the eagerly anticipated sounds of the South Elementary students. Mrs. Hughey sums up the mood at South Elementary when she says, “I just can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they walk through the doors.”
On Monday, August 7th, all Plainview ISD elementary will host Meet the Teacher beginning at 5pm. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 9th. For more information about upcoming events, download the Plainview ISD app to your phone.
Link to Plainview ISD Mobile App for Apple: https://apple.co/45P915e
Link to Plainview ISD Mobile App for Android: https://bit.ly/45QPzVx
