School’s out for summer for students in transition

Spokane teacher Kathy Curtis had few words Thursday to describe her temporary classroom at Garfield Elementary School.

“It’s box city,” the third-grade teacher said. “It’s a little scattered.”

With just one day left, Curtis was working to box up 32 years’ worth of classroom paraphernalia to move back into Ridgeview Elementary School in the fall.

During this school year, more than 800 students from Ridgeview, Lincoln Heights and Lidgerwood were shuttled to 15 host schools throughout the district while their buildings were under construction. All three schools are expected to be complete this summer.

“We’ve been pretty crowded this year, but it’s been worth it,” said Garfield Principal Joann Ekstrom. Garfield hosted two third-grade classes from Ridgeview. “We have had such a great year learning from each other.”

The three new schools were paid for with a 2003 Spokane Public Schools voter-approved capital improvement bond.

Teachers and staff have already had a chance for a sneak peek of their new two-story red brick buildings, but the district won’t take over from construction crews until August.

Students, who have only seen the buildings from the outside, have been bused out of their neighborhoods each day to their host schools.

“I think it’s going to be cool,” said Jacob Fender, 9. “I hope I get a good teacher.”

For some families, the shuffle meant busing children to two or three different schools. Host schools could take only one or two classes of each grade level, separating some siblings.

“My mom really wanted us to go together,” said Cheyenne Orndorff, 9. Cheyenne’s brother, a sixth-grader, was bused to Woodridge Elementary for the year.

Other siblings, such as Ridgeview third-grader Hannah Tomsha and her brother Jacob, a kindergartner, were allowed to stay together. Both were bused to Garfield every morning.

“There are always challenges,” said Curtis. “But from the very first day, we felt like we belonged here at Garfield. I think it’s just starting to sink in they won’t be back.”