For Danbury School teachers, classroom work starts well ahead of opening day.
Sue Mills, a fifth grade Stadley Rough Elementary School teacher, drove to school as soon as the driveway renovations and entrance work was completed on Aug. 16. She taped each student's name to their desk, and has been organizing her books.
"I have a personal love of books," said Mills, who said finding a book for a student who doesn't like to read is her personal passion. "It's my mission, to find a book they'll like."
Once started, some students never stop reading. Mills works on improving their stamina so they can keep reading longer books.
If the media center ever runs out of books, they'll head over to room 20. Every wall that isn't covered by a door or window in Mills' classroom is lined with books.
Over at Broadview Middle School, Art Teacher Jeanette Draper was busy Thursday decorating her classroom for the arrival of students Tuesday.
"I hope the kids come in happy and enthusiastic," said Draper, a 12-year veteran at Broadview.
Draper said this year's art classes will be history based, so students will look for inspiration in Andy Warhol and in Leonardo DaVinci's workbooks and they will be making models based on some of his drawings.
"They'll be exploring questions like, 'Is it art if someone helps you?' and, 'Is it art if it's just a print?'" Draper said.
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