Soul of a school takes on new shape

At this time last year, all of Central High School's belongings were packed away in 18 rented trailers, and Cape Girardeau school officials were anxiously awaiting the completion of a new $22 million building.

The school, and its students and staff, have come a long way in the past 12 months. The orange-and-tan building at 1000 S. Silver Springs Road has become home, but only now that the school year has ended has there been time to reflect back on what the relocation meant.

"It was phenomenal," said principal Dr. Mike Cowan. "Almost like being in a tornado. We didn't have time to recognize what was happening because we were so busy doing what had to be done."

On the morning of Sept. 3, more than 1,300 students and 135 teachers and other personnel gathered in the new high school gymnasium for the first time.

"It was important for us to look around to see just how large we'd become," Cowan said.

The moment was a memorable one for staff and students alike.

"It was our first time together, and we really filled the gym," senior Andrew Moreton said. "The whole year was just an overall great experience, but it did take time to adjust."

The year was marked by unprecedented changes for Central students: The implementation of a closed campus at lunch, assigned parking, required semester exams in all classes and cutting ties with the older, familiar campus on Caruthers Avenue.

"It felt like a hospital at first, it was so different from the old school," said junior Katie Porter. "Eventually, it felt more like home. We're trying to make it our own now by adding tiger prints and orange and black, like at the old Central."

The ninth factor

But the biggest change was the addition of 380 ninth-graders to the high school student body.

The district underwent a complete grade reconfiguration last year that bumped freshmen up to the previously 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade high school and moved fifth- and sixth- graders to a newly formed Central Middle School.

The reconfiguration had a significant impact on Central teachers, most of whom had never taught ninth-graders before.

"We had to find ways to relate to that age group," said science teacher Nita Dubose. "They're different than the students I'm used to teaching. I can remember dressing in costumes for school functions, doing silly things like that to connect with them."

When the last bell rang at 11:20 a.m. on June 9, students and staff breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"It was an exhausting year. By far the busiest in my nine years of teaching," Dubose said. "But now we know what to expect."

After a year of classes, the two-story, L-shaped building has acquired its share of scars -- mostly in the form of chipped paint and scuffed floors -- but the sparkle of the state-of-the-art facility hasn't faded.

The district officially took possession of the building Aug. 1, but technical work continued throughout the school year as finishing touches were added and kinks were sorted out.

The security system continuously shorted out, setting off unexpected alarms at night and on weekends. There were problems with the heating and cooling system. A ceiling pipe burst and sent gallons of water spilling into the music room.

Work on the Silver Springs entrance to Central was not completed on the first day of school, leaving parents, students and employees with only one entrance and exit. As the first bell rang Sept. 3, traffic was still backed up to the Westfield Shoppingtown West Park Mall.

The difficulties of the past year haven't taken the enthusiasm out of Cowan and his staff. What might have been stumbling blocks became stepping stones for success.

"It has certainly been a learning experience and an adjustment -- emotionally, intellectually and physically," said geometry teacher Karen Atwood. "I've never had a year like this."

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128