GALLERY: Cleaning crew at the Charles City Middle School

Charles City High School Principal Josh Johnson and Middle School Principal Rick Gabel rolled up their sleeves and plunged into the cleaning efforts Tuesday afternoon, as volunteers prepared the school for it’s grand opening and first academic year. Press photos by Amie Johansen

Julie Molstead points a few dirty spots as Donna Lynch reaches to clean the top of the window in the music practice rooms. “It’s a cool idea,” Lynch of said the community cleaning opportunity. “This way people can take part and have ownership in the project.” Lynch, a middle school secretary, is excited to see students’ reaction of their new building.

Libbie McKeag, left, and Kiki Connell, right, are incoming eighth graders. McKeag saw an opportunity to be take a preview of her new school before classes begin so she called Connell to invite her to the community clean. Connell said the idea sounded fun as she likes to clean.

Mark Shultz and Kristy Shultz double team an operable partition in preparation for students on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 29.

Cheryl Blaine and Shirley Kelly share a ladder to reach the high spots during the community clean-up of the Charles City Middle School.