Shatia Simmons and her son J’Khari, paint a wall Monday at Northeast Elementary School. Photo by Linda Whittington / Neuse News

With the first day of school three weeks away, members of Northeast Elementary School wanted to make sure the aesthetics were great for the start of another year.

The school held a campus cleanup and beautification event Monday with numerous staff members taking part. Besides painting throughout the school, the staff planted flowers, got rid of weeds and organized around campus in preparation for the Aug. 27 start.

Northeast principal Kendra Woods said she wanted to showcase the beauty of the school and have everyone involved in the improvement.

 “It’s a beautiful school, only 9-years-old, but it hasn’t been painted,” Woods said. “We realize there’s wear and tear throughout the school year and needed to do something. This is our school and research shows that kids learn better when they’re in an environment more conducive to it, so we wanted to make sure it looked nice.”

Second-grade teacher Jenne Battaglia said she’s appreciated what Woods has done in order to create good synergy among the staff. She said she was more than happy to assist.

“Principal Woods did a great job establishing relationships with the staff and really trying to create a culture here at the school,” Battaglia said. “We wanted to start the year off right and get things going.”

Candace Rouse, a first-grade teacher, shared similar sentiments.

“It’s all about community service and helping make the school a better place,” Rouse said. “We all have to work together for the beautification of (Northeast) and teamwork makes the dream work.”

It wasn’t just staff members assisting Monday, as J’Khari Simmons — a third-grader at Northeast — also took part in the event.

“I just like to be helpful,” Simmons said.

Rouse’s son, LaMarc, is a second-grader at Bethel Christian and was happy to make an impact in the community.

“I just like to paint,” he said.