Opening Delayed

The Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) has announced that Pine River School for Young Learners will open one week later than originally planned to allow crews to finish remodeling areas of the building. As a result, the first day of classes at Pine River will be Tuesday, Sept. 11. This only affects Pine River School for Young Learners; all other 4K sites: Trinity, St. Francis, Parkside, New Testament, will open on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

The school, which is the new home of the district's Head Start, Early Childhood and four-year-old kindergarten (4K) programs, has undergone significant renovations over the summer to meet the health, safety and educational needs of younger students. The district recently learned that renovations would not be complete by Sept. 4, the start date for all other MAPS students.

"Our top priority is to create a learning environment for young students that is safe, clean and well-organized," said Joan Krohn, director of Head Start, Early Childhood and 4K. "We understand the inconvenience this may cause our families. Many people are working hard to open Pine River in an efficient manner. We are confident that the school's outstanding learning environment will be well worth the wait."

Despite the delayed start, Pine River School will still exceed the amount of instructional time required for students over the course of the school year. Teachers, aides or family service workers will be doing home visiting the week of Sept. 4, as well.

"Pine River School for Young Learners is honored to be the first step of excellence in education for our MAPS students. Families, students and staff members are all looking forward to the opening of Pine River and everything that it will offer children in the years to come."

The community is invited to tour Pine River School for Young Learners on Monday, Oct. 22.