New Year, New School: Students, Teachers Explore New Centralia Schools as Classes Get Back in Session

The halls of Centralia High School were swarming with students early Wednesday morning, all eagerly exploring their new and, even for returning students, completely unfamiliar surroundings. 

“It’s really maze-like,” said senior Karlee Robinson. “It’s really nice though. It’s really modern.”

Jenny Forsberg, who teaches English Language Learners, said she was impressed with the improvements in technology at the school. 

“It’s really exciting to be a part of this,” she said. “Everything’s state of the art. They’ve given us all of the tools we need to take this school to the next level.” 

Fords Prairie and Jefferson-Lincoln Elementary Schools were completed this summer.

At the elementary schools, the younger students — in kindergarten through second grade — are on the bottom floor, while the upper grades and libraries are upstairs. The second floor also has a STEM classroom where teachers can bring their classes for experiments or large projects. The rooms include exposed pipes and wires in the ceiling to teach kids about their building, as well as modern equipment such as 3-D printers. 

Fords Prairie’s tiny library has also been expanded into a spacious, inviting area. 

“I love it,” said Librarian Michelle Meyer. “I’m still getting used to how big it is.”

While the schools have many of the modern amenities their predecessors lacked, they also pay homage to the past. At Fords Prairie, a bench in the entryway is constructed of one of the old school’s structural beams, and a historical boiler door is installed on one of its walls. Eventually, Petersen said, the antique will be used to teach students about Fords Prairie’s history. 

“There have been at least four schools on this property,” he said. 

Among many improvements at Fords Prairie was a dedicated lunchroom — the school previously used its gym as a commons as well, Petersen said. 

All of the schools made safety improvements, including locking entryway doors with impact-resistant glass. 

“They’re designed to slow entry into a building,” Petersen said. 

The first phase of the like-new remodel and new construction at Centralia High School is mostly done, and remaining work is expected to continue throughout the school year, said Ed Peterson, Communications and Public Relations Coordinator for the Centralia School District.

“It definitely beats the portables,” Petersen said. “There’s always kinks in a new building. It’s definitely a work in progress.”

Phase 2 of the High School work includes work on the commons, locker rooms, kitchen and arts classrooms. The school’s new library — built on what was once an outdoor courtyard, will serve as the cafeteria until the commons is finished.

“We covered that in, captured a lot of space back,” Petersen said, noting that the school added about 10,000 feet by building in place of outdoor courtyards that didn’t see much use. 

Centralia ASB President Miriam Martinez said she and other student government members got an early look at the building and hope to help guide other students. 

“It’s really big and I always get lost,” she said. “If you go in circles enough times you eventually find your way."

Arts classes are still using portable buildings while their portions of the building are completed. Work crews were on site Wednesday as students explored already completed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classrooms, a career center, study areas and more. 

The floors are polished concrete for durability and hallways are brightly lit by skylights.

“I love my new classroom. It’s as spacious as I was hoping,” said Leanne Forster, an English language arts teacher at Centralia High School. “The technology is phenomenal, although I’m still learning how to use it.”