August 7, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Smithville Elementary School has undergone a few cosmetic changes.
Principal Anita Puckett said visitors to the school will notice new signage, window clings, a sensory hallway for students, and the sphere bollards (security barriers) out front of the building which were recently given a new colorful look. The work was done over the summer.
Recognizing that the school lacked proper signage, Puckett said she wanted to make some changes to better identify the school and direct visitors into the campus.
“Especially if you are not from Smithville, once you drove onto the campus you really didn’t know which building you were at because there was nothing in front of our vestibule that identified us as Smithville Elementary School,” said Principal Puckett. “We also have two entrances including one which is the pre-K car line and the other which is the main entrance but there was nothing to identify where to go,” she said. “I contacted Chris and Kristy Williams. She is a teacher here and Chris, her husband works for a sign company and has his own shop. Within two weeks they had created the metal main entrance and Smithville Elementary School signs, and we appreciate that so much,” said Puckett.
SES will also soon be getting a new digital marquee sign out front.
To perhaps add a layer of security, Principal Puckett said window clings have been added to the vestibule at the entrance which display the SES wildcat mascot and paws along with the greeting “Where Your Journey Begins”. “We already had the vestibule, but this is another layer of protection,” said Puckett. “I reached out to Matt Holmes at Tennessee Fleet and asked him to check out our windows. When I was at DeKalb Middle School a few years ago, he did the windows and doors there. Here I just wanted primarily the windows done and he offered a bid,” she said.
Out front of the building, the two sphere bollards have a new eye-catching appeal thanks to Principal Puckett and her husband Jimmy.
“I had a vision to do puzzle piece balls, one representing autism and another with primary colors that are bright and vibrant to make it look more like a welcoming campus,” said Puckett. “My husband and I worked very diligently hand stenciling all the puzzle pieces and then we hand painted them,” she said.
Another Puckett vision fulfilled is the new sensory hallway at the school especially for students perhaps experiencing dysregulated behavior and emotional regulation. The hallway floor now features markings for activities like hopscotch with unique names for each section including Sunny Valley, Lava Leaps and Dinosaur Cove.
“This is especially for children who are very upset with high emotions who perhaps can’t express what is wrong with them. They can come into the sensory hallway and do-little activities to help them regulate without affecting the other classrooms. I want to thank Darlene Evans for all her hours of dedication in making this a reality,” said Principal Puckett.
“Thanks to everyone who supported me in making these changes to improve the school especially Director Patrick Cripps,” Puckett concluded.