1st classes at Clovis South High and Phillip V. Sanchez Intermediate

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- The newest high school and middle school campus in the Clovis Unified School District came to life Monday morning.

"Good morning Longhorns!" Principal Sonia Torossian said over the intercom. "Welcome to your first day at the Terry P. Educational Center."

As her voice went over the loud speaker, buses pulled in, parents pulled up and kids jumped out to start the day.

All of them are part of the first group of seventh and eighth grade students at Phillip V. Sanchez Intermediate or freshmen at Clovis South High.

Some parents, like Sinsay Vongmany, chose to walk onto campus to help their child find their first class.

Vongmany was with his wife, Val, as they dropped off their daughters, Alaian and Alison.

"It's impressive. This place is - it doesn't look like a high school," Vongmany said.

Crews have been hard at work to prepare the space.

A little over a week ago, the crews were completing the final steps of construction. Monday, they were piecing together the final touches before school started.

Inside the academic buildings, teachers like Natalie Navarro put up her seating chart and made final preparations.

She says she worked hard to decorate her classroom during the last week.

"There's a lot of nerves with the unknown, but we just want to make it feel as comfortable and inviting as we can," Navarro said.

Principal Sonia Torossian says students will be known as the Longhorns.

Ahead of the first day, more branding was added throughout the campus to increase school spirit.

"That's something Clovis kids are used to -- being very proud of their schools -- and so we wanted to make sure our kids felt the same," Torossian said.

The Terry P. Bradley Education Center is a three-year project, so construction will continue while school is in session.

Fences have been added to separate students from the ongoing work.

For parents like Vongmany, he hopes his daughters will be part of creating new traditions that will last for years to come.

"Since they're the first class to attend this school, hopefully they -- them and their fellow students build something special," Vongmany said.

On August 25, parents will be invited on campus for Back-to-School night.

There will be food trucks and they will also have the option to purchase official Longhorn spirit wear.

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