Grant Jared walks a hallway at the old Hartselle High School with a stack of eighth grade textbooks. | Clif Knight

An estimated 75 parent and student volunteers participated in a workday at the former Hartselle High School on Thursday to help get the seventh- and eighth-grade Hartselle Junior High School ready for occupancy prior the first day of classes on Aug. 19.

The volunteers hand carried textbooks and other classroom supplies from the cafeteria area to eighth grade classrooms and removed surplus items from classrooms in the vocational building.

At the same time several teachers were working in their classrooms to get them ready for occupancy.

“We’re moving supplies from the hallways into the classrooms so the contractor can come in and work in the hallways,” said Sabrina Buettener, assistant principal. “We expect the hallways in the eighth grade wings to be cleaned this weekend.”

“The classrooms in the seventh grade wing have not yet been cleared for occupancy and the main offices are a mess,” she added.

“There’s much work yet to be done and it’s a step by step process,” she added. “But we’re encouraged by the good help we’re getting from our volunteers.

“This is my yard day,” said Gilchrist Pharmacy co-owner Mike Preuitt. “But I have children who will be attending school here so I decided to put off the yard work and come up here to help.”