Byron Center — Byron Center’s newly renovated elementary building opened its doors to students this week.
Heritage Elementary, named from a community contest for the generations of students who attended school in the building, houses kindergarten through fourth grade. It is one of four district elementary schools.
“A school is not a school until the kids get here,” Principal Nathan Clophus said on the first day.
Families dropped off their students and exchanged “I love yous” and “Have a great days,” then youngsters were greeted by Superintendent Kevin Macina, who told one family: “Teachers have been sleeping here, they’re so excited.”
Kindergartner Ravyn Tropea showed teacher Lindsey Conrad her lucky bracelet. When asked what made it lucky, she smiled and pointed to a gold star bead.
Feels Like Home
Heritage Elementary replaces the former Nickels Intermediate School building, and the new Nickels Intermediate was funded by an $80 million bond proposal passed in 2020.
Renovations began in April 2023 and projects included adding classrooms, playgrounds, an elevator and ADA accessible ramp, plus upgrades to the cafeteria, gym and STEM, art and music classrooms.
“My hope for this year is to make this place feel like home,” Clophus said. “Students came from other buildings and their schools were awesome, but this school is going to be awesome too.”
Teaching Kindness & Perseverance
Grade by grade, teachers led students through the front doors and to their classrooms. Overheard near their lockers, two third-graders discussed critical elements of their new school.
“What’s for lunch here?” asked one student, to which his friend replied, “I heard it’s pizza every day.”
In teacher Katie Dalman’s classroom, second-graders chose a color of brand-new Playdough with instructions to make the letters of their names.
Some said the task seemed tricky, but Dalman encouraged them to “try and try again.”
Alexis Norton got right to work rolling pieces of the dough to make each letter.
“My name is Alexis, but sometimes I go by Lexi… so I spelled both.”
Said Dalman, “This exercise is teaching them how to do more with the resources you have, in a fun, not-obvious way.”
Later in the morning, classes gathered in the gymnasium for a first-day assembly with Principal Clophus. Students wore glow stick bracelets and the song “Diamonds” by Rihanna played on repeat.
Clophus shared a message with his students: “Your special job this year is to be kind to each other and let your lights shine bright.”
Read more from Byron Center:
• New school name reflects building’s history
• Districts are feeding more students due to universal free meals
