It was a successful first day of school for Helias High School's junior and senior classes.
Students were able to see the building renovations in the new St. John Paul II Student Success Center, which includes counseling and career guidance offices, a space for academic instruction, a technology-centered study hall and supervised after-school lounge.
They were especially excited about the renovated boys and girls bathrooms, Principal Kenya Fuemmeler said.
"I think there are a lot of positives going on a Helias," Fuemmeler said. "Opening the student success center was a terrific way to show we're trying to meet the needs of our students and trying to prepare them for college and careers."
Fuemmeler said this year she's looking forward to "not being the new kid." After spending a year with Helias, she's built stronger relationships with the students, parents and faculty and is looking forward to building on that.
"It's a really positive time to be a Crusader," she said.
The freshmen and sophomore students get their first day of school today, and Fuemmeler expects a few more locker issues and minor complications.
Enrollment so far is 702 - up 34 students compared to the first day of school last year - and Fuemmeler anticipates the enrollment will grow slightly.
One of the only major changes this school year comes with construction of the athletic complex - students are prohibited from parking on Swifts Highway. Fuemmeler said she isn't sure when students will be able to park there again.