Comstock Park — Third-grade teacher Kristi Altman admitted it felt good to be back in her classroom, considering a year ago she was forced to relocate her class only a few days after school started following an EF1 tornado.
Altman’s classroom was one of six in the third-grade wing located on Pine Island Elementary’s second floor that were damaged by winds from an Aug. 24, 2023 tornado that came through Plainfield and Alpine townships.
Classrooms impacted by the tornado were relocated, which caused a domino effect with eight to 10 teachers displaced in all, said Principal Brian Morrison.
At times, finding space for parent meetings and other needs was a challenge. But staff made it work, he said. “The construction crew worked well with us, and the foreman would meet with me to see what they could do. They were as non-disruptive as they possibly could be.”
Construction crews led by Grand Rapids construction management company Owen Ames Kimball worked through last school year, and the second-floor project was completed earlier than expected. Work included truss reinforcement, concrete work and a roof membrane replacement. Impacted classrooms rooms got new carpet, paint and a deep cleaning.
Teachers were able to get into their former classrooms by the end of the 2023-24 school year.
“It feels like we can stretch again,” Morrison said.
For teachers, it also provided an opportunity to reimagine their spaces. Altman said she decided to create a calm atmosphere, painting the walls a light blue and adding new decorations in pink and blue hues that accented the space.
Third-grade teacher Carolyn La Roche said she has a mix of old and new decorations in her space that included chair back covers in a mix of bright colors.
“It feels wonderful to be back in this space,” La Roche said as she put finishing touches on the room. “It is so quiet in this part of the school. Last year I was across from the gym, right in the middle of the hub of everything.
“Also, I missed the sun coming through the windows in the morning.”
La Roche noted that many students last year were disappointed because they were looking forward to being on the second floor. In fact, since all first- and second-grade classes are on the first floor, this is the first time for many third-graders that their classrooms are on the second floor.
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