AREA – From paintbrushes to screwdrivers, area schools are bringing out the tools necessary to make their buildings inviting to the children who will walk through the doors next week.

“We always try to do what we can to improve the school, like painting and waxing the floors,” U.S. Jones Elementary School Principal Tony Speegel said.

Probably the most notable change at the Demopolis school is the removal of the old exit doors, which have been replaced with newer, better doors.

“We’re very fortunate we’ve got new doors on all exit doors, we’re real proud of that,” Speegel said. “In the past the doors were the kind we had to chain to lock. The new doors are much better safety doors.”

The elementary school also has some new teachers, which Speegel said came highly recommended.

“We have two national board certified teachers on our staff, and they’re the only ones in the system,” he said. “We’re extremely proud of that.”

Speegel said having such highly qualified instructors not only benefits the school, but the community as well.

“The City of Demopolis can be proud of the teachers in this system and the students being educated through that system,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a great school year with a great group of students.”

The school will host an open house Aug. 10.

Linden Elementary School Principal Wanda Fisher is also proud of her teachers and is excited about the new school year.

“Most of our teachers have only had one to two weeks off this summer,” she said. “They’ve been attending workshops and continuing education programs … to be able to meet the needs of our children.”

The school, which will be hosting an open house next week, will be installing a new science lab this year, as well as making other improvements around the facilities.

School friends are also raising funds to construct a new playground.