Dr. John Aspen, a staff member at Galesburg Junior Senior High School, said in a short video message that crews are finishing a new turf softball field at the school and that students return to classes next week.

"We're putting the finishing touches on our new turf field," Aspen said, adding that crews are doing similar work at the baseball field. "It looks amazing as you can see. We're very excited."

The message combined a facilities update with reminders for families about the start of the school year. Aspen said teachers will be back in "6 short days," and that students return "a week from Monday" on a regular full-day schedule. He emphasized the district's immunization policy, saying, "we are a first day exclusion school," and that students without immunizations or physicals are excluded unless they "have a physical appointment within the first 30 days of school," which would allow them to remain in school if they present that appointment.

Aspen also advised families who have not yet registered that the district is holding evening registration events at the district office and urged parents to consult their child's school webpage for meet-the-teacher nights and other local dates. "If you have any questions you can call the buildings now, and people are there to answer your calls and answer your questions," he said.

The video was recorded on the school's new softball field; Aspen signed off by reiterating excitement about the new facilities and the upcoming school year.

Details not specified in the message include exact calendar dates for teacher and student start days, and which immunizations are required; Aspen referred to the district's exclusion policy and a 30-day window for physical appointments but did not cite a specific district policy document or ordinance.

For additional details about start dates, immunization requirements, or registration times, families were directed to the school district's online resources and to contact school offices directly.