WESTBROOK – When it became clear the new Westbrook Middle School wouldn’t be ready for students Monday, the decision about what to do with the kids coming back from winter break weighed heavily on the minds of school officials.

But as they wandered back through the halls of Wescott Junior High School this week, the students – and their teachers – seemed to be making do just fine.

“If you don’t stress out in the classroom, the kids don’t stress out,” said Dana Barrows, a sixth-grade language arts and social studies teacher.

City inspectors still hadn’t issued a certificate of occupancy Tuesday, marking three weeks from when it was originally supposed to be issued – and keeping the students and teachers from being able to move into the school.

The $34-million school, which was approved by voters in 2007, was supposed to open for students Jan. 4. Last week, Superintendent Reza Namin said students would instead go back to the old school Monday and stay there until the new one was completely finished.

Principal Brian Mazjanis said some boxes of supplies, packed up before vacation, were taken from the moving vans and put into the new school. On Monday, teachers were allowed in to grab some materials to help them get through the week.

“I was looking forward to it and I was even bragging to my sisters,” seventh-grader Mercedes McCorrison said about moving into the new school.

She said she was watching television when the news came on, letting her know that she’d be going back to Wescott.

“I got mad,” McCorrison said.

Sitting with a group of sixth-graders at lunch early this week, Mazjanis said they felt the same way as McCorrison.

“They were really disappointed and very much looking forward to it,” he said.

Mazjanis praised his staff for how well they’ve been dealing with the extenuating circumstances.

“The teachers have done a really great job working together, helping each other out,” he said.

But, he added, those qualities come with the profession.

“The ability to adapt is part of what it is to be a teacher,” Mazjanis said.

Eighth-grade science teacher Todd Stiles said he’s been limited in what he can teach because he doesn’t have access to his lab supplies, but, still, there’s plenty of knowledge he can pass onto students without them.

“I could do this for a month and be fine if I had to,” Stiles said.

Parents waiting to pick their kids up at Wescott Tuesday afternoon said the change in plans didn’t inconvenience them.

“I have no complaints,” said Kelly Harnois, the mother of an eigth-grader. “It’ll be there when they get there.”

For Barrows, the sixth-grade teacher, there could be a benefit from letting the anticipation build for a little while longer.

“It’ll be even better when we get there,” he said.