Fresno Unified Students Back in School | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Monday, August 17, 2009

Fresno, Calif. For the district's newest campus, Southeast Elementary, students and staff took any first-day challenges in stride. The welcome sign went up and the classrooms were well stocked as Southeast Elementary sat ready for 800 new students. For many, the typical first day jitters were made worse because this was a new and unfamiliar campus

Most of the students transferred here from nearby Storey, Winchell, and Balderas elementary schools to ease overcrowding. Some parents were concerned about the change.

"I was more satisfied with the other school cuz it looks like it was more locked in, but hopefully this will do good, I'm sure they'll take good care of the kids," said parent Edwina Zuniga.

School administrators worked hard to calm nerves and make the transition as smooth as possible. Students wore nametags with their grades, teachers and room assignments so they knew exactly where to go.

The campus is made up entirely of portables. Southeast Elementary School will be open for the next two years until a permanent school is built in a different location.

The principal, Misty Her, said opening a new school has been a financial challenge. "Because we're a new school, we don't have a lot of supplies that they need or we try not to think of everything that they might need and we miss things."