After closing elementary schools, the Salt Lake City School District is getting ready for the upcoming semester

Salt Lake City, Utah – After four closures, elementary schools in the Salt Lake City School District are getting ready for kids to return from summer break to their new campuses.

Erik Jacobson, the principal of Ensign Elementary, sees the new faces as a chance for fresh ideas.

Principal Erik Jacobson of Ensign Elementary School stated, “We get to add new kids to our community so that means new perspectives, new parents to pull ideas from, and different backgrounds to tap into.”

After four of the district’s elementary schools were closed, the boundaries of 14 schools, including Ensign Elementary, were redrawn. Ensign’s expanded limits, according to Principal Jacobson, encompass a sizable portion of downtown.

“We’re adding additional training for our teachers to ensure they’re ready to meet the needs of every student who walks through our door because this change is going to be hard for kids so we have to make sure we’re prepped and ready to bring them into our community,” he stated.

However, it’s not just about instruction; it’s also about acclimating children to their new school even ahead of the big first day, with events such as a popsicle party for new students.

Parent Chad Wachtor of Ensign Elementary remarked, “It makes me feel good about the community and it makes me feel good about bringing my kids here knowing that they’ll be supported.”

A representative for the Salt Lake City School District named Yándary Chatwin claims that the district has given schools extra funding to hold community events that will aid families in transition.

“Schools have really stepped up and they’ve gotten creative,” Chatwin stated. “One school held a community picnic at Liberty Park for new families to welcome them, another school has a new family night right before their general back-to-school night.”

According to Chatwin, the district has placed staff and resources strategically and has adhered to its pledge to not fire anyone as a result of closing schools.

“Wherever it’s been possible that staff from closing schools are also in buildings where students from closing schools are going,” Chatwin stated.

Speaking of Ensign Elementary, principle Jacobson stated, “We’ve added two teachers, one from one of the schools that was closing to come up, and our assistant principal is from a school that was closing to come up also so that’s going to help build up the community.”

Principal Jacobson and the district acknowledge that parents and students may still experience some anxiety on their first day of school, but they are optimistic that new schools will soon feel like home. Parents are welcome to discuss any issues they may have with their school.

“Let the principal know you’re feeling a little bit nervous, let the counselors know that they’re feeling a little bit nervous because then we can build support in for you and ensure that you have a really smooth transition,” Principle Jacobson advised.