Thoreau Elementary students in Concord returned to school on schedule in September, even though eight classrooms remain closed after an April fire and sprinkler water damaged a section of the building's 1994 wing.

Principal Justin Sparks and Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter announced the smooth opening in a district statement published Monday, Sept. 21. Repairs to the wing, which include a new dry-pipe fire suppression system and full reconstruction of damaged areas, are now expected to wrap up in November or December. That timeline is a delay from an earlier October target, according to the district, though the schedule depends on construction progress.

The April 27 fire started in the wing's attic, caused by a space heater, according to Joint School Committee minutes from May 6. A single sprinkler head activated and stopped the flames from spreading, but the water damaged walls, ceiling tiles, electrical fixtures, flooring and cabinetry across eight classrooms.

The school closed for one day.

Staff relocated roughly 10 classrooms overnight and reopened the next morning.

"We opened on time, and the first weeks of school have been so smooth that you might never know how much work went into making this possible," Sparks said in the Sept. 21 statement.

The makeshift arrangements touch nearly every corner of the building. One second-grade class now meets in the music room, while music teacher Emily McDougall holds her classes on the auditorium stage. Another second-grade class uses a modular unit outside.

Two classrooms serving students with complex disabilities, including students who use wheelchairs, moved into the former teachers' lounge and the former Spanish classroom. Art teacher Kate Hiltz and Spanish teacher Annette Howard gave up dedicated rooms and now teach from mobile carts, wheeling supplies into general education classrooms. A tent on school grounds supports outdoor lessons.

Sparks said in the statement that staff approached every decision by asking what would give students the most consistent experience within the available space. He acknowledged the situation has been difficult and said staff have leaned on one another throughout.

Hunter credited families as well as staff. Parents delivered meals, coffee and gifts to affected teachers after the fire and have continued offering help as temporary setups remain in place.

Parent Shuchi Sharma praised the staff and custodial team at the May 6 Joint School Committee meeting, saying workers relocated eight classrooms and reworked complex logistics within a single day.

Firefighters from Concord, Acton, Bedford and Maynard responded to the school around 9:15 p.m. April 27 after an alarm triggered, The Concord Bridge reported. Fire Chief Brian Whitney called it a "small fire" and credited the suppression system. No one was hurt.

The district redirected capital funds originally earmarked for a parking lot project toward a permanent engineering fix for the attic space, according to the May 6 committee minutes. The school also made minor calendar adjustments in June to meet state attendance requirements.

The district has not announced a date for its next public update on the repair timeline.