The elementary school library is equipped and ready for students to return to school.

Construction work went all summer long to remodel the elementary classrooms and library.

There's new walls; doors; a new ceiling; cabinets and shelves; a fresh coat of paint; new carpeting; and even new digital clocks.

"It's awesome," Buildings and Grounds Director Karl Flier said of the elementary's new look.

A community open house will be held at the elementary from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11.

And, that's not all. This summer the elementary computer labs were updated with new computers, according to Technology Director Rick Meyer.

Most classrooms will have SMART Boardª interactive white boards with projectors in the rooms.

Later this fall the district will implement computer-aided instruction that will take students' math and reading scores and customize instruction based on their strengths and weaknesses, Meyer said.

And, sometime in the next month or so parents will be able to log into Skyward, a student management system, to make credit card payments to their students' food service accounts.

Parents can already view student grades, attendance and lunch account balance online through the program.

Aside from the new computers in the elementary, one of the high school's seven computer labs received new computers as well, according to Meyer.

The high school art room has been completely remodeled and the high school library/media center has new carpet. New tables have been ordered as well.

Outside, sprinklers have been added on a baseball field as well as new aggregate. A fence is likely to be erected this fall.

PR-B Schools will continue to offer free breakfast to all students. The district began offering free breakfast in December of 2008 and will continue this year.

In addition, all the meal prices remain the same as last year.

"We're hoping that's beneficial to everybody," said Brenda Anderson, Food Service director.

Also planned this school year is a "Farm to School" program in which the district will buy local products and use them in their school lunch program, Anderson said.

She's already purchased some wild rice and honey and has plans to expand the program, as able.

"It's to boost the economy in the area and to get back-to-basics for students," she added.

Vending machines in the high school will continue to offer flavored water and milk; and lower-fat items like baked chips. "We're constantly looking at improving items that we put in the vending machines," she said.

The district is also focused on preparing for flu season.

"We will be installing hand sanitizers in the lunch room so that they will be readily available for students to use them," Anderson said.

The district has also put flu information on their Web site at: www.prbackus.k12.mn.us including an influenza screening tool and flu guide for parents.

Student safety to and from school is also a priority.

Transportation Director Tom Bristow reminds drivers to be aware of bus stops. Flashing yellow lights means prepare to stop; and flashing red lights means stop, Bristow said. "When the buses start to run people want to give themselves a little extra time to get to work."

PR-B district's fleet has 24 buses and 16 regular routes. As usual the driver's will have their work cut out for them: the PR-B District covers 550 square miles.