Bonita Springs Elementary students get brand-new school this year

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (WINK) — Students at Bonita Springs Elementary won't be walking between portables anymore when school starts. Instead, they'll be walking the halls of a brand-new school built to replace the campus that served the community for more than 100 years.

WINK News reporter Bridget Bruchalski went inside before the first bell rings.

Fourth grade teacher Maria Milian is getting ready for yet another first day of school, this time in a brand-new classroom.

"I love being a teacher; it's all I've ever done," Milian said.

"I'm excited to get a new group of students. I love working with them. I love seeing their growth," she said.

This move is about more than new desks or fresh paint. Now, Bonita Springs Elementary is finally under one roof.

"I'm excited that we're an inside building now, and that teachers are closer together because before on our campus, the grade levels were separated," Milian said.

When Bruchalski was talking with teachers moving into their classrooms, one thing they told her was they're excited that they went from outside to inside. This new indoor climate gives them a chance to build community.

"Just coming in in the morning, you run into the teachers downstairs. Here, you run into the teachers up here. So I just feel like it does build more community amongst the staff," Milian said.

With the final boxes being unpacked, this staff is ready to welcome students.

"We've been watching the school being built all last year, so it's so exciting for it to be finished and to finally see the end result," third grade teacher Lisa Nungester said.

Principal Cynthia Hernandez said the previous setup made things difficult.

"We were all spaced out in portables, and moving from place to place was rather difficult," Hernandez said. "To have the K through five all in one building now is going to go ahead and be just amazing."

This school year, these hallways will finally be filled with the kids they were built for.

"The kids are so excited. The kids are really engaged. They love coming to school. They love their friends. So building this environment that really supports that for them—that's a great feeling," project manager Bob Staufenberger said.

The project isn't over yet. They're working on a second building right now to hold the cafeteria, kitchen, stage and music rooms.