Brittin classes moving

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Brittin classes moving

By: Luke April 10, 2002

Nearly two weeks after a public meeting to explain the options for moving

children out of Brittin Elementary School, the first classes were moved to

Diamond Elementary School. " A kindergarten and second grade class are in

Diamond today, " Brittin Principal Sherry Templeton said.

The move was necessitated by illnesses affecting some children and teachers

in the school, including respiratory problems and skin irritation. Brittin

plans to remove their current heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit

and replace it with a system that will bring outside air into the school.

The current system only recycles air.

Diamond Principal Theresa Schreck plans on making the move as smooth as

possible for students.

" We're going to do whatever it takes to make it work, " she said. " Our top

priority is our children. "

Housing the two classes from Brittin did not pose a problem.

" Fortunately, we had two empty classrooms, " Schreck said.

And how are the children reacting to moving to a new school?

" The children are all excited, " Schreck said.

Templeton said more moves will be made this week, including moving some

sixth graders to a youth center across the street from Diamond today, and

having the entire fifth and sixth grade moved by the end of the week.

She hopes to begin moving the fourth graders at the beginning of next week.

Schreck said her school is ready for the move. " As many (classes) as they

want to send, we will accommodate them, " she said.

Gwen Colson, one of the Brittin teachers moved to Diamond on Tuesday was

happy. She said she had been extremely ill and had not been teaching her

class for several weeks.

" My doctor said I was not allowed to go back into the building because of

the mold and dust, " she said.

She has received a warm welcome from her new peers.

" They have been wonderful, " Colson said. " Everyone has been so welcoming. "

" We're a family, " Schreck said. " They're our sister school. It's not just

Brittin's problem, it's everyone's problem. "

©Hinesville Coastal Courier 2002