Springdale elementary school to start year with new beginning

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Next week, many students from across the area will start a new school year, but for one school in Springdale, it’s more than just a fresh start.

In March 2022, Gene George Elementary was hit by an EF-3 tornado that passed through the city. The storm caused extensive damage to the building, leaving their gym and playground area destroyed.

However, this school year, students and faculty alike will step into a new beginning.

For four years, third-grade teacher Brenda Kingston has pieced together her classroom at George Elementary, and this year was no exception. She said she plans to make her classroom feel like a safe space, but this year, the decorations carry more weight than usual.

“If you cannot tell I love just all things color, bling, shininess, and I try to make my classroom a happy place. Like I want my kids to come here. It makes me happy. And they love it,” Kingston said.

Kingston says she remembers the exact moment that she found out the tornado had hit the school, and how the first thing she thought about was her students.

“I tried to get over here and it was just it was impossible. And I mean, everything was so dark. And then by the time, you know, the light of day and we started seeing pictures, it was just heartbreaking,” Kingston said. “I just immediately thought of all my babies and all the damage they were experiencing.”

She says from that day forward, the school banded together to get through the tough time.

Now, more than two years later, repairs and renovations have been completed at the school. School principal Justin Swope says revealing the repairs at the open house made for a full-circle moment.

“When our families and students started coming in last night, I mean, all of that nervousness, all of that you know, frustration, all of the things going on the last months and years, just melted away,” said Swope.

The project cost more than $11 million in total and will allow students and teachers to enjoy things like a new gym, a new library fully stocked with books, and a cafeteria with a brand-new kitchen.

While Swope says final touches are still being made, Kingston says she’s excited to see smiling faces walk through the front door on Monday morning.

“It’s just so exciting. And I mean, I can’t wait to take my kids on a tour next week and just show them like the new gym, the new music room where just everything is I mean, it’s beautiful,” said Kingston.

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