ALL IN for New School Year, New Rushton School Building

The Red-Tailed Hawks of Rushton Elementary School walked the yellow brick road into their first school day in a newly rebuilt school building this week.

After more than a year of construction, the school community was ready to begin a new school year with decorations based on the theme “There’s No Place Like Home.” The school opened to students and educators on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 as the Shawnee Mission School District started the first days of school for students in Pre-K through 12th grade.

Seeing the school for the first time, Meryl McBride, fourth-grader, knew it would be a great place to learn. “It looks amazing,” McBride stated. “I couldn’t even imagine it could look like this. I’m so excited to be going to school here!”

Prior to breaking ground on a new building, Rushton engaged the community in the transition process. Parents, staff, and community members helped inform the design work as building plans were made. The school also held a farewell event for the former building which had served the community since 1954.

At that time, Principal Kristy Fornal noted that Rushton has always been a great place to learn and thrive. “That sense of community is what I felt when I first came here and I really hope everyone feels that sense of community again,” she said as construction on the new building began.

Though it was “exciting” and “surreal” to be in the new building, that strong sense of community was present, shared Yvonne Corpus who is a fourth-grade teacher at Rushton and a former Rushton student. During the school’s back-to-school night, she saw her own former teachers and former students she taught visiting the new building.

“The nice thing about Rushton is that not only do I get to teach here as a former student, I am teaching the kids of people I went to school with,” Corpus added. “Rushton is a place you want to come and stay and raise your kids.”

The new Rushton Elementary School features large corridors for collaborative learning, a covered outdoor classroom, and a maker’s space. It was one of five elementary school rebuilds that were made possible through the $264 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2021.

Prior to school starting, Dr. Michael Schumacher, superintendent, thanked educators and the Shawnee Mission community for all of their work to get the 2024-25 school year off to a great start as students were welcomed back to schools.

“I am so proud of the Shawnee Mission team and all of the work that is being done to start the year for our students,” Schumacher said. “It’s going to be an incredible school year!”