Dear Editor,

I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those responsible for helping move Hartselle Junior High School to its new location. In less than two months, every seventh and eighth grade teacher, librarian, secretary, custodian and support employee was in some way involved in this move, and all pulled together as a team in order to start school Aug. 19. From my personal perspective, it is remarkable how many volunteer hours we had from teachers and support staff along with their spouses and children, friends, parents, youth ministers, youth groups, junior high and high school groups, coaches and sports teams, and countless other volunteers. The move would not have been possible without their help. So many were involved in the move that it would be impossible to thank each one individually, and this is something I very much wish I could do.

In addition, support from key leaders at the central office including Dr. Vic Wilson, Dr. Nancy Horton, Mr. Jerry Reeves, and support from the school board was instrumental in providing the school with the necessary funding and vision to prepare the building for our students. The maintenance department under the leadership of Chris Wallace could not have been more accommodating, and our Technology Coordinator, Tim Southerland, cannot be thanked enough for the many hours of late night and early morning work to restore Internet connections in the buildings.

Terry Graff along with the teachers and office staff at Hartselle Intermediate School were so very patient as we made our many “moves” at the same time they were working to establish a new school. The transition can only be described as one family still living in a house while another family is moving in before the other moves out. Principals from the high school and elementary schools worked with us on days we needed extra custodial help, and the willingness of their custodial staffs to do so was much appreciated. Dr. Robbie Smith, our new principal, started on a Monday 10 days before school started when the school office was literally in one massive pile under what seemed like an inch of dust. She put on her work clothes just like the rest of us helping with whatever needed to be done.

One group deserves more praise than any, and they are the combined custodial staff from Hartselle Junior High School and Hartselle Intermediate School: Dorothy Bell, Marie Blevins, Nate Kimbrell, Brenda Livingston, Danny Stephenson, and Gilbert Swann. Together this group of people worked daily at two schools cleaning, packing, unpacking, loading and unloading…anything that was necessary to prepare the two schools for a new year. Much was asked of them, and they delivered. I am very thankful for the can do, positive spirit they exhibited throughout the summer.

We continue to make improvements to our building, and the patience of our parents is very much appreciated. Hartselle Junior High School has moved and new traditions are just beginning!

Sabrina Buettner

Assistant Principal

Hartselle Junior High School