Lowell — Students picked up class schedules and Chromebooks while exploring new features at Lowell Middle School following two years of construction.
While practicing his locker combination, sixth-grader Gage Beach said he’s looking forward to a special place – the STEAM room (for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) – which is getting finishing touches. “My dad’s a machinist,” he said. “It kind of runs in my blood.”
“I’m really excited for accelerated math,” said seventh-grader Roman Marsh, while touring the school with his mom, Kelli Marsh. “I get to do eighth-grade math in seventh grade.”
From seeing friends and favorite teachers and looking forward to classes, students participated in the first Smart Start orientation in several years. The pandemic and two full years of construction prevented the orientation event until this year.
With work in its final phase, it was a great way to prepare for the first day on Tuesday, said Principal Abby Wiseman.
“It’s been so nice to see all the families coming in and see our sixth-graders find their things and even our seventh- and eighth graders, because these are new areas for them,” she said.
The new middle school wing for seventh- and eighth-graders opened in January of 2022 and the new sixth-grade area opened that fall. The work being done at the middle school is a large part of the district’s $52.1 million bond passed by voters in 2019.
Ready for staff and students this year is a new main office, cafeteria and kitchen and freshly painted gymnasium. In the days to come, the STEAM room and computer room will be ready, several months ahead of schedule, Wiseman said.
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