Southside Elementary teachers prepare for the start of school

There's plenty that has to be done to prepare for the start of school, and some of that comes down to the specific color of an item in the classroom.

Fourth grade English language arts teacher Christine Harrington isn't satisfied with the red baskets holding books on the bookshelf and says she will be stopping by the store to find white baskets.

"I want to keep it visually a very calm, clean environment, so that the brain isn't busy. I don't want anything that's distracting," said Harrington.

Harrington returned to school last week, before her contracted hours, along with fourth-grade math and science teacher Riley Hamilton, with whom she will teach in partnership.

Replacing the baskets was just one example of the tasks involved as teachers prepare for the start of school, which Harrington says also involves moving desks and other items into place after deep cleaning, arranging files, and other work. 

It was also just one way in which teachers are individualizing their rooms; for instance, fourth grade English language arts and social studies teacher John Freeman decorates his room with a "Star Wars" theme each year. 

"You get excited because the kids get excited," he said of the process.