SHORT GAP, W.Va. — Teachers and students in Mineral County are normally accustomed to elementary schools with around 200 kids — but after two weeks of going to a school nearly triple in size, they have settled into a new routine.
The new Frankfort Elementary School, which consolidates Frankfort Intermediate, Fort Ashby Primary and Wiley Ford Primary, held an official ribbon cutting ceremony and open house Friday, marking the successful transition for Mineral County Schools.
The ribbon cutting was held with third- and fourth- grade students in attendance, while the open house was free for anyone in the public.
Principal TJ Connor said that it was a hectic first couple of weeks at the new school.
“I feel like I can finally do my principal job now,” Connor said. “Just getting all little details worked out, and getting around the building.”
Connor said she’d been impressed by how quickly her school was able to adapt to the new environment despite the rough patches.
The teachers, most of all, have done an excellent job, according to Connor.
“They have been impressive about how quick they were to adapt,” Connor said.
Many of the new teachers had to not only learn about their new students, they had to learn how to work with other teachers from around the county.
“It’s like getting a new neighbor,” said Connor.
The students that have gotten used to the big building the fastest are actually the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, according to Connor.
“They tend to follow directions very well,” Connor said.
While third- through fifth- grade students have been doing well, they needed some more adjustment.
“It’s the big kids, we have to practice with them,” Connor said.
Connor said that the new school is a “model” for safety across the state of West Virginia. It has a secure entrance process for visitors that has impressed state officials.
Kelly Nestor, a first-grade teacher, said she is glad that her students are finally settling in.
“The size intimidated some of them at first, but they are doing really well,” Nestor said.
Nestor said that the transition to the larger population was stressful, especially since her school size has increased so dramatically.
“The classrooms are brighter, and just different,” Nestor said.
Fourth-grader Cooper Kenny and third-grader Vivian Connor are big fans of the new gym.
“I like the new bleachers,” Connor said. These were installed shortly after the grand opening in August.
The gym is certainly the most sprawling aspect of the school, which will host a variety of assemblies and sporting events.
Crystal Weaver’s son, Jacob, goes to Frankfort Elementary School, and she was at the open house Friday. She is a substitute teacher in the county.
“I’m excited for the new school, I think it’s a great opportunity,” Weaver said.
Her son, just like Connor and Kenny, said that the gym is his favorite place.
“He’s really enjoyed it so far,” Weaver said.
Weaver is looking forward to the opportunities in STEM that the new school offers.
“It’s great for this small, rural area,” she said. “You can’t go wrong with it.”