With a little help from some Woodson students, Austin Public School officials broke ice, er, ground on the Woodson Kindergarten Center expansion Monday.

Ten Woodson kindergartners took shovels to the ice, signifying the beginning of the Woodson expansion project during a groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning. Wagner Construction will begin groundwork Tuesday.

“It’s the beginning of the next step,” said Superintendent David Krenz.

Krenz directed school board members and administration to shovel some of the ice out of the way while Woodson kindergartners watched during the ceremony. Students celebrated 100 days in school as well by assembling in the shape of a 100.

Woodson’s expansion is scheduled to go through the summer, wrapping up on Aug. 17.

“This time next year, it’ll be occupied,” said Mark Stotts, finance and operations director.

Woodson kindergartners shouldn’t be affected by construction this year. Students on Sumner Elementary School’s year-round schedule will attend class at Sumner for a few weeks in the summer before moving back to Woodson when the project is done. Woodson is also scheduled for a heating and ventilation system update this summer, which will wrap up around the same time as the expansion.

“It feels wonderful,” said board chairman Jeff Kritzer. “We’re so thankful for the community’s support.”