There will be major changes this year for students attending School of the Osage schools.
The biggest change is that students in grades 6-8 will head across the street to attend classes at the new middle school.
District superintendent Mary Ann Johnson said crews are working on eliminating a punch list of last-minute things that still need to be done on the schools exterior and interior. Once done, the school will be perfect and ready for the first day of class on Aug. 20.
Some of the paint still isn’t dry and caulk is still going up, but it will all come together before that first day, Johnson said.
When students arrive for that first day, it will be to a whole different learning environment.
The new building is arranged into two major academic wings, each with two stories.
Each grade is designated its own wing with specialty classrooms occupying the fourth wing.
Johnson said the districts maroon and white colors are the major color scheme, however splashes of accent colors are reflected in the floors and countertops in the classrooms.
Its very light and airy, Johnson said. Its going to be perfect for learning.
With the clock ticking down to the first bell on the first day of school, Johnson said crews are still working on other projects throughout the district.
The intersection into the high school and upper elementary is almost done being reconstructed as well as other maintenance needs in other buildings.
Upper elementary will now be for students in grades 3-5. The old middle school building, off Bagnell Dam Boulevard in Lake Ozark, will be converted into the central office.
The School of the Osage School District will have a dedication for the middle school at 2 p.m. on Sept. 21.
Johnson said plans for the ceremony have already started taking place.
Contact this reporter at deannaw@lakesunleader.com