Smooth start at Treaty Rock Elementary

POST FALLS — Excitement and an overall sense of joy were evident at Treaty Rock Elementary on the first day of school.

The newest addition to the Post Falls School District celebrated the start of its first school year in the midst of a global pandemic. Nevertheless, students and staff — wearing masks and practicing physical distancing — were happy to be together.

In person.

"I’m so grateful to see them, finally," Principal Katrina Kramer said Tuesday. "They are excited to be here and we are so excited to have them here. It’s good to just see their smiles. Well, actually, their eyes, because we can’t see their smiles."

It was a first day of school unlike any other. No one except students and staff are permitted in the building, per the school district's policies opening in the moderate "orange" COVID-19 risk classification, so parents said their morning goodbyes to their little ones at the school entrance.

"When they weren’t able to drop off their kids, they were OK with it," Kramer said. "They dropped them at the door and we welcomed them in."

The day had gone "so smooth," she said.

"I’m so proud of our kids and our families for following our guidelines, and we’re all learning how it works here," she said. "Kids are being so great with each other and listening, and parents aren’t giving us any hassle. Everybody’s been so nice and given us grace. It’s been a little bit hectic here, but parents have been awesome."

The school also isn't super packed; with half the kids doing at-home learning each day, it leaves wiggle room.

“It’s so empty,” Kramer said. “But for a new school, having half the kids here has been a blessing because then you learn the kinks with half the kids here rather than all of them."

Finishing touches are still being put on the 57,000-square-foot elementary school at 4916 E. Hope Ave., and teachers and staff are learning their way around the new building. Many of Treaty Rock's teachers, as well as Kramer, came from Mullan Trail Elementary, which was built in 1956.

“This building, it’s just so beautiful, and high tech," Kramer said, adding that it's safe and spacious for its more than 400 students.

"And they have a beautiful new playground," she said.

Fifth grade teacher Avery Walker is one of the Mullan Trail alums who joined the Treaty Rock team. At the end of the first day, she was feeling energized and relieved that everything had gone so well.

"The kids did wonderful with their masks," she said. "Even the kids said, 'It's not as bad as we thought it would be.'"

In the buildup to the first day and the social media frenzy surrounding it, Walker said they expected some drama or resistance. But they had no problems with the new rules and requirements, she said.

"Everybody was very happy to be here. The kids were so excited to be here," Walker said. "It was nice only having half the kids because you could get to know each one a little better."

Walker said she never thought she'd experience two first days of school. On Thursday, the "A Day" cohort will have its first day in person as the "B Day" cohort works from home.

And she's looking forward to it.

"We’ll do this whole thing all over again," Walker said. "(Tuesday) went so well, I'm not even worried at all about Thursday."