Some Jenks Students Head Back To School In New Facility

It was back to school for Jenks Public Schools students Friday morning, and some of those students headed to a brand new building this school year.

Northwest Elementary is JPS's newest elementary school and school officials just cut the ribbon on the school on August 10th.

8/10/2017 Related Story: Construction Complete On Jenks' Northwest Elementary

The school, which is located just off 71st Street, will have about 1,000 students attending the location.

Construction crews spent the summer putting the finishing touches on the building in time for the new school year.

Children and their parents lined up outside the new school Friday, eager to get in and see the new building.

Once inside, staff members helped students find their classrooms and introduce them to their new teachers.

The district said the school includes Jenks' first STEM learning lab for elementary school, a state-of-the-art playground and even a health clinic.

A brand-new building can be scary for students and teachers, but the teachers said they will all be fine.

"They're not the only ones that are super nervous about this new school year, and this new school, and we're all gonna get lost together," Veronica Smith said.

Voters passed a 2015 bond issue to build the school and the superintendent says it's much needed because the district is growing so much.

"The first day of school's the first time in 26 years that we've opened the doors of a brand new elementary school for our students," said Jenks Superintendent Dr. Stacey Butterfield. 

The first bell rang at 8:30 a.m. this year, and school lets out at 3:10 p.m.