Moving into the new Monett Elementary School

Monett R-1 School Superintendent Dr. John Jungmann checked on progress as finishing touches were made this week on the new building at the Monett Elementary School. The floor in the commons room not only has a color pattern, unlike the old building, but is also made of more environmentally friendly material. The floor will have a flatter, non-reflective appearance and will not require annual polishing, Jungmann said. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

One of the temporary additions at Monett Elementary is the new library, being set up in a classroom space next to the cafeteria. Ann Bryan, the librarian, sorted books for her new space. The new library, in the second grade wing, may be ready to be occupied by November. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The cleaning crew at Monett Elementary School tackled every corner. Lauren Sebastian, at left, and Jessica Heidlage, at right, worked on the filing cabinet in Mary Enlow's first grade classroom. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Though teachers are not required to be on duty until Aug. 11, many are getting a head start on setting up their classrooms. New first grade teacher Caressa Blankenship, at center, sorted children's books in her room. She received additional help from her mother, at left. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Principal Susie Gasser passed one of the main intersections of traffic at the new wing of Monett Elementary School. Behind Gasser, at center, is the stairway that leads to the first grade classrooms straight ahead, and the kindergarten classrooms, at the top of the steps and to the left. The hallway at front left leads to the new gymnastium, which will also serve as a storm shelter. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The hallway in the first grade wing at Monett Elementary is bright and filled with a colorful floor and entranceways to the classrooms. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Settling in, Principal Susie Gasser was briefed on operational details of the campus in her office by Jim Carr, project superintendent for R.E. Smith Construction. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The cleaning crew was busy last week tackling every stationary object at Monett Elementary School, and some of the portable ones. Cleaning the rectangular cafeteria tables were, from left Stacy Rutherford, Jenae Ratzlaff, Jenny Frazier, Cameron Hawkins and Amanda McKinney at front. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Monett Elementary School Principal Susie Gasser got a lesson on Thursday from John Carr, project superintendent for R.E. Smith Construction, on how to use the mechanism inside the new flagpole outside the main entrance. Work is advancing steadily to finish the campus, including construction of the desk inside the main office and laying base rock on the driveway in advance of the asphalt overlay. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

First grade teacher Melissa Faucett made a committed effort at moving in to her new classroom at Monett Elementary School last week. The new purple desks and chairs are visible in her room. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Teachers at Monett Elementary School began arranging furniture and supplies in the classrooms as moving got underway on Wednesday and Thursday. First year kindergarten teacher Morgan Mais began settling into her brand new classroom in the new wing extending. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

A view of work in progress is captured at this glimpse of the central office at Monett Elementary. The main desk can be seen being built. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

One of the new decorative items in the central office at Monett Elementary is this giant replica of a stop watch that will hang on the wall. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Finishing touches are underway on the remodeled north wing at Monett Elementary School. Cleaning teams have been tackling every corner of the building. From left, Mindy Rosenbalm, Sandy Briant and Shawna Williams polished the glass on windows and new doors leading into hallways leading into the building. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Here was a funny sign scribbled on the door of the assistant principal's office at the old central office at Monett Elementary School during moving days last week. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

May I have the next dance? That's the suggestion from the arrangement of chairs in the new conference room at the rear of the new central office at Monett Elementary School last week, where furniture was still being moved in. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The view of the main entrance at Monett Elementary School from the driveway showed the work still needed preparing the driveway with base rock and asphalt prior to the opening of classes on Aug. 17. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)