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Sept. 2, 1999
HanskaCommunitySchool opensBy ERIC SERRANO Journal Staff Writer HANSKA -- Less than a year of furious planning came to a head Wednesday as teachers at the Hanska Community School welcomed students for the first day of classes. Although the school of 47 students is still waiting for some of its curricular materials to arrive, specifically piano keyboards and up-to-date computers, two of the three charter school teachers say the first day went off without a hitch. "I taught phy-ed for the first time in many, many years," lead teacher Karen Royer said after the halls had emptied on inaugural day. "The look in the eyes of some of the kids seemed to say 'She's not going to be able to do this'," the 30-year teaching veteran added with a chuckle, "But, I did it." Royer said she didn't encounter anything unusual with her new students, because they aren't really new to her. All of her fourth-and fifth-graders were her students last year, when the elementary school still came under the auspices of District 88. "I know all my kids, and they know me. So we can just jump right into lessons," Royer said. Lack of keyboards and updated computer equipment won't hinder the arts, music, and technology charter school's operation. The keyboards are due within the next week or two. In the meantime, Royer said, students will review music basics like notes, scales, and tempo, "... so that when the keyboards arrive, they will have some idea of what they can do with them." The school's new computer equipment is awaiting the approval of federal grant funding, according to Royer. Until then, students will have to make due with the older technology acquired from other schools, donated from individuals, or brought in by the teachers. Gwen Helget also taught at Hanska Elementary last year. A half-day kindergarten teacher in 1998-99 for District 88, Helget, then in her first year of teaching "was at the bottom of the seniority list," when the district made its staffing cuts due to budget and declining enrollment concerns. At Hanska, Helget now instructs a combined kindergarten and first grade class of 20 students. "That's the biggest, noticeable difference over last year," she said. "Last year I had seven kids, but that was multi-age as well, so it's not that different." Helget's main concern going into opening day was just how her young charges would handle the situation. "A lot of them knew they were coming into something that would be different; they just didn't know how that would be, parents and students alike," she said. Those concerns were addressed in greater part through a series of conferences in the days before school started, however, Helget added. "I think once they got in here and saw the classrooms and everything was explained -- most of the parents had been involved in the planning in one way or another anyway -- they had a pretty good idea of what is ahead," she said. "(The students') biggest concern was whether or not Edith (Beckius) was still going to be the cook," Royer said. The Hanska school has just eight employees on its payroll, including the three K-5 teachers and Beckius as cook. The school also employs a full-time preschool teacher, a secretary, paraprofessional aide, bus driver, and an accountant, whose services will be shared with the charter operation slated to open in Lafayette next week. A boiler technician will be added as soon as the heating season approaches. Because preschool numbers are so high, the school is also searching for another part-time teacher, Royer said. The rest of the school's needs are met by volunteers like Royer's husband Orville who pulls duties as a custodian, substitute bus driver, and all-around handyman. Even wheelchair-bound volunteer Marilyn O'Reilly spent five hours on the school's opening day in the library sorting and cataloging books. She stopped to chat with Royer at the end of the day to offer more help in coming days if it is needed. "I'm not a librarian, but I'm learning," O'Reilly said. Volunteers will be a key to the charter school's success in the early going, Royer said. "Our aide was scrubbing floors a couple of days ago. A couple of (those who were on the planning panel for the charter school) were scrubbing toilets. Everyone just pitches in." An open house is planned for Oct 10. The school will run its traditional book fair at that time as well.
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