Now that class is back in session for Parkcrest Elementary students, officials are looking ahead to the future, and what the needs might be moving forward.

Principal Catherine Gorman says district staff made sure that the essentials like desks and chairs were in place for the first day of school yesterday.

But she says there are also things that will still be needed moving forward.

“You know boot racks become really important when the snow starts to fly, we don’t have those right now,” she told NL. “So those are the kinds of things that we’ll have to talk about we go through the school year. There will definitely be some adjustments that have to be made.”

Gorman says her staff has been handling the situation well since the fire on September 5.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our support staff and teaching staff moving on ahead with getting over what they’ve lost. I don’t think they’ve got over it, but I think that there is some real positives that staff are taking away,” Gorman added. “They’re recognizing that we can’t go back, we can only forward. And we’re willing and ready to do that at this point.”

And she admits that there is also some excitement about the potential of a new school which is still about two years away.

“Two to three years seems a long ways away, but you know what, it goes by quickly. And when you think that we’re in school for 10 months. We’re excited to talk about that. I know that our administration and the district will be the people who are dealing with that with Ministry and what not first, but any input we have, we’d love to be a part of that.”

Education Minister Rob Fleming previously told Radio NL that he wants to see Parkcrest Elementary rebuilt quicker than a typical school would be.