Portable internet tower puts Botetourt County school back online
Colonial Elementary was off the grid for a month
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BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Botetourt County’s brand-new Colonial Elementary School is filled with top-notch technology; however, just over a week ago, stepping into the school was like stepping back in time as the school was off the grid for a month.
During construction, the incumbent internet provider couldn’t provide connectivity to the school in time for the its opening on January 25.
“It’s been difficult to go that long without the internet,” said Principal Tammy Riggs.
She worked with county leaders, Blue Ridge Towers and BriscNet to come up with a fix and found a temporary solution, a portable tower.
Colonial Elementary School Resource Officer helps kid having a rough morning
‘My biggest goal as a resource officer is to let people see past the uniform’
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But a school resource officer was able to help lift the kid’s spirits.
Thursday morning, Principal Tammy Riggs said the kindergartener got dropped off at Colonial Elementary School, but he immediately got upset.
“We had a student come in who was reluctant to go to class, had been out for a while and was very emotional and had just laid down on the floor,” said Riggs. ”He just didn’t want to go.”
TROUTVILLE â A few hundred Botetourt County students get to celebrate two first days of school.
The countyâs original Colonial Elementary School, in Blue Ridge, said goodbye to its final group of students on Jan. 8, after about 80 years in service. Three miles away, the new Colonial Elementary opened its doors to pre-K through fifth grade students on Monday.
âWe are so excited for you to see this magnificent place that you get to learn in now,â Principal Tammy Riggs said in a morning flag-raising ceremony. âThis is not just for us, not just for you. Kids are going to be learning for decades and decades, here at this school. ⦠Itâs a gift. Itâs our job to take care of it.â
Colonial Elementary School dismisses last class in old building
Classes will move to new building upon return from remote learning in two weeks
Taj Simmons, Reporter
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BLUE RIDGE, Va. – It’s the end of an era for Botetourt County students.
Colonial Elementary School in Blue Ridge rang the final bell at its old building Friday afternoon. Students will move further down Route 460 to a brand-new building when they return from remote learning in two weeks.
Principal Tammy Riggs says she has pushed for a new school complex for a decade because the old Colonial building is too small for the growing student population. The elementary school has been in the same building since 1939, and Riggs said it is emotional to leave it behind.