Vito Zanetti, 9, and Ellie Wagner, 9, participate in Julie Maurer's fourth grade science class on the first day of school at Chicora Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Although there is still more work to do on Chicora Elementary School, students returned to the building Wednesday, Aug. 30, for their first day of school, which was delayed one week because of construction.

Eric Ritzert, superintendent of Karns City Area School District, said it was unusual to have students at Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School start last week without welcoming the elementary students at the same time, but the delay actually helped ease into the year.

“We’ll have these first three days and then we’ll have the weekend to recharge,” Ritzert said.

Construction at Chicora Elementary is ongoing. The building is getting a new wing complete with 12 classrooms, as well as a new cafeteria and kitchen area. The school will have 35 classrooms when completed, not including specialized rooms, allowing for the consolidation of Chicora and Sugarcreek elementary schools.

The project costs an estimated $25 million in total, which accounts for the addition to the school as well as the renovation to the existing space, according to Ritzert.

Airibella Shindledecker, 9, makes her way into Julie Maurer’s fourth grade science class on the first day of school at Chicora Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Kayezn Keihl, 9, Grayson Hetrick, 9, and Graham Hohn, 10, participate in a game of simon says at the end of the first day of school in Julie Maurer's fourth grade science at Chicora Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Erin Confer, 10, colors during the fifth grade art class of Chelsea Grubbs on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Chicora Elementary School. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Sydney Campbell, 11, works on her project in the fifth grade art class of Chelsea Grubbs on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Chicora Elementary School. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Vito Zanetti, 9, and Ellie Wagner, 9, sit in Julie Maurer's fourth grade science class Wednesday, Aug. 30, on the first day of school at Chicora Elementary School. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Gavin Ealy, 10, works on his project in the fifth grade class of Julie Grubbs on Wednesday, Aug. 30, the first day of school at Chicora Elementary School. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Kyra Eiler, 10, poses with her project in the fifth grade class of Chelsea Grubbs on the first day of school at Chicora Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Fifth grade students Nevaen Scherer, 11, and Paisley Beham, 10, pose with their art projects on the first day of school at Chicora Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle

Vito Zanetti, 9, leads a game of Simon Says Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the end of the first day of school in Julie Maurer's fourth grade science at Chicora Elementary School. Mikayla Torrence/Butler Eagle