PARKERSBURG -- After a EF5 tornado devastated a large portion of the city, neighbors rallied to help one another. More than a year later, rebuilding efforts continue.

This week, the community is making sure the Aplington-Parkersburg School District reaches a major milestone. Volunteers are helping faculty, staff members and administrators get a new high school ready for the 2009-10 school year.

More than 100 people -- primarily students -- have turned out since Friday to carry furniture, dust shelves and unpack boxes. Classes begin Monday.

"So, we are booking," said Marla Alberts, a cook with the district.

On Tuesday, food service employees took inventory and washed kitchen items. Laborers cut tile and technicians hooked up televisions and computers. Outside, landscapers put down sod.

Boxes, ladders and debris from construction clutters hallways and classrooms. For many, though, this week's stress is offset by admiration for the new surroundings and a profound sense of relief.

"It's a little more enjoyable moving into your building than moving out of your building," Principal David Meyer said.

The tornado displaced about 240 students and staff at the high school but affected the district as a whole. Creative building assignments and high doses of flexibility allowed academic, athletic and other activities to continue.

Students adapted well, according to administrators, but returning to an actual high school facility is a welcome development.

Judy Graham, the district's food services manager, is pleased with her new work space. The kitchen is huge, and she is impressed to be back in such a nice place so soon.

"We are amazed that we've come this far," Graham said.

Academic wings will be ready by Monday, though Superintendent Jon Thompson said some detail work may remain. And as expected, construction will continue over the next few months on portions of the $19 million building.

Temporary walls will separate construction zones from the rest of the school, meaning students and teachers will have to tolerate some background noise, administrators said. The auditorium, gymnasiums, wrestling and weight rooms should be completed this fall.

Project Superintendent Eric Slessor of Larson Construction said work on the high school, from design to construction, moved quicker than on most.

"We fully expected to have it ready, but to see it come to fruition is exciting," he said.

Slessor commended the community's can-do attitude. Because of the circumstances surrounding the project and the resilience demonstrated by residents, Slessor said he was happy to do his part.

"This was a very fulfilling job," he said.

Volunteering offered junior Emory Ballhagen a sneak peak.

"I'm glad to see it's going to be up by the time school is started," she said.

Her sister, Olivia, helped move items Friday and Monday with members of the volleyball team, then returned Tuesday to help sort library books. Naomi Albright, a freshman from Aplington, pitched in as well.

"It's amazing," Albright said. "It's so big and nice."

The student volunteers boosted librarian Nancy Flanigan's confidence the district will be prepared by Monday. Earlier, football players moved items for a couple of hours before going to practice.

"I think we are going to be ready to roll," Flanigan said.

Biology teacher Paula Buchholz didn't have as much to unpack as some. While the library was able to save most of its books, the science department didn't fare so well. Some items are on order, though Buchholz said she has enough to keep students busy.

After spending last year teaching high school biology in a classroom intended for first-grade students, Buchholz is glad to return to an actual lab.

Ongoing construction at the high school will require some adjustments but that's something the district is familiar with since the tornado.

"You never want to admit that the out of the ordinary is becoming routine, but it does start to feel that way," Thompson said.

Taking ownership of the high school, a source of pride, comes at a good time, according to teachers and administrators. In addition to recovering from the deadly tornado, the community also suffered through the sudden loss of its football coach this summer.

Ed Thomas died from gunshot wounds sustained June 24 while monitoring students in the weight room at the school. Mark Becker, a former A-P football player, is charged with first-degree murder.

Administrators aren't sure to what extent students may still want help coping with the tornado and Thomas' death. To learn about tuning into ongoing needs, a grief expert will address staff members and the parents of students who witnessed the attack on Thomas, Thompson said.

Teachers expect the new school will help students heal. The rhythm of the academic year will be welcome after a tough and unusual year, science teacher Georgia Bennett said.

"This will be good for them, to get into a regular class routine," she said.

The plan for the upcoming school year is to keep moving forward. The building may be new, but the routine will be familiar.

"It's kind of like moving home again," Thompson said.