BROUSSARD (LA) — The first day of school is right around the corner and that means parents and teachers are preparing. At Martial Billeaud Elementary in Broussard, that means completing the final stages of construction on the brand new school.
Teachers of the new facility are seeing their classrooms for the first time. Under the drop off and pick up awning, they wheeled in all the supplies needed for their classroom one trip at a time. Third grade teacher Emily Denlinger said that even in the rain, it was exciting to set up the room.
"I'm dragging my stuff through the rain," Denlinger laughed. "I'm just happy to finally be putting my stuff in here and getting things going."
Just graduating college, Denlinger says she is excited to be one of the school's first faculty members.
"Maybe I'll be able to stay here my whole career, start to end," Denlinger said.
Principal Christy Hayes said there are more than 30 classrooms serving several hundred students. Martial will hold classes for Pre-K to fifth grade.
"We have just about 500 students, so we have room for growth. Every hour we're getting new registration," Hayes said.
Due to construction, the library, auditorium, and cafeteria are not open to tours, but crews are working quickly to have every room fully functional for the start of school.
"At this time we can't actually have public in our school yet, because we are not cleared of construction. We're just trying to pick up registration and get rolling, " said Hayes.
Parents and students will get a chance to see inside the new school during the yearly faculty meet and greet.
