Northside Elementary students and staff settle into their new classroom facility

BAY COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – One of Bay County’s older schools has its first new building in more than 55 years. It’s a new classroom facility at Northside Elementary School.

The students and staff have been settling into the new classrooms since school began last week. Northside Elementary School opened in the fall of 1968. Over the years, there have been remodeling and renovation projects. But nothing like this.

“It was really a neat school year project to watch it go from the ground up. We’ve had some of our buildings renovated over the years, but this is the first addition to Northside in a really long time,” Principal of Northside Elementary Lora Frowert said.

Back when the original school was built, designers put a lot of emphasis on controlling the indoor environment. Each classroom had one small window. The new facility has an abundance of windows.

Third-grade teacher Kristin Ferreira said the additional lighting helps her students focus and feel connected to nature.

“Everything’s fresh and clean and bright, and I think that helps them focus and helps them feel the positive environment and helps them want to maintain that cleanliness and the organized organizational skills that carry on into being a good student,” Third-grade teacher at Northside Elementary Kristin Ferreira said.

Each of the classrooms also has restroom facilities. Ferreira said it helps reduce student distractions. The intensity, or brightness, of the lighting is adjustable. All of the classrooms have new furniture, bookshelves, larger desks with flexible seating for students, and seating areas for reading.

“I love the reading area and the furniture and, um, all the books. I like reading a lot. I think we did a little bit of math, and that was fun,” Third-grade student Amarabelle Seagroves said.

Students and staff anxiously watched for a year as the new facility was being built. The anticipation is finally over, as they enjoy the newest classrooms in Bay County.

Everyone said the updated technology in each classroom is almost as important as the new building itself.

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