Familiar face greets students at new middle school in Aurora

While students and teachers shared much of the same nervousness and excitement during the first day of classes at Fischer Middle School, Greg Fischer simply smiled and took it all in.

The school's namesake was on hand Thursday to welcome roughly 1,025 students to the new Indian Prairie Unit District 204 facility located in the former Waubonsie Valley High School freshman center at 1305 Long Grove Drive in Aurora.

Fischer, who served the district in a variety of roles for 32 years before retiring in 2004, said he was "honored and fortunate" to be part of the school's opening.

"It's amazingly exciting," he said. "The first time I saw the sign, I almost drove off the road."

Principal Jennifer Nonnemacher called Fischer "the father of middle schools" in the district and welcomed him with a T-shirt bearing his own name.

"Greg Fischer brought the middle school philosophy to District 204, so it's very appropriate that the final middle school be named in honor of him," Nonnemacher said.

Fischer is the seventh middle school in the district that covers portions of Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield and Bolingbrook. It opened on the same day the district opened its third high school, Metea Valley.

Having served as principal at Still Middle School, Nonnemacher said she was ready for the challenges and controlled-chaos of the first day of classes.

"We're ready," she said. "We've been working hard and putting in long hours, so now there's just a lot of excitement."

The first challenge, Nonnemacher said, is getting everyone acclimated to the new school. For the first couple of days, teachers will set aside time for orientation and tours of the building.

"I couldn't be more fortunate to have such a great staff," Nonnemacher said. "They really love this building and are so excited for the newness of everything."

Sixth-grade teacher Shantha Uddin, like many Fischer staff members, transferred from Still Middle School. She admitted she was a little nervous about the first day, but also excited about the chance to get to know her new students.

"We're all coming from different places to something brand new," Uddin said. "There will be plenty of challenges, but a lot of support."

Seventh-grader Tom Roy, 12, was eager to begin classes and see the new building.

"I feel really good," he said. "It's cool to be one of the first students in the school."

Eighth-grader Lauren Simmons, 12, said she was happy to be part of Fischer, but was also apprehensive about the first day.

"I'm kind of nervous because I don't know all the teachers," she said. "I'm hoping they aren't mean."

The school will play host to a special assembly Sept. 4 to promote what Nonnemacher refers to as "AFOOFA" (All for One, One for All).

The motto, she said, is based on the spirit of belonging, independence, generosity and mastery. Each quarter the school will focus on one of the four ideals, teaching students what they mean and how to apply them in their daily lives.

Fischer will return for the first assembly to discuss the idea of belonging, and the importance of the team-base middle school model.

"Middle schools are the last, best chance for kids," Fischer said. "What we've done in this district is shown respect for students, and by doing so have instilled the idea of respect in them."