BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A recent Brooksville Elementary team-building exercise was a year and a half in the making.

"Mr. Lastra nailed," said teacher Laurie Martin. "It's team building with a purpose." 

Martin is one of dozens of teachers who participated in a scavenger hunt for school supplies and built IKEA desks with little to no instructions. 

What You Need To Know

• Brooksville Elementary teachers participated in a scavenger hunt for school supplies and built IKEA desks with little to no instructions


• The IKEA desks worth $400 each were donated by the Hernando Education Foundation


• "We want to get back to building those relationships," said Principal Mike Lastra


• More Back-to-School coverage

"There were a lot of people and a lot pieces, and we're hoping it stays together," Martin added. 

Educators made sure they arrived in one piece. Seven desks were donated to families in need. 

The IKEA desks worth $400 each were donated by the Hernando Education Foundation. 

"We want to get back to building those relationships," Principal Mike Lastra said. "Some of our kids haven't been in school for a full calendar year."

The Coveys, whose children were homeschooled for all of 2020, are an example.

"This school has come a long way, 'cause I have 12 kids," mother Hailey Covey said. 

She says the support from Brooksville staff and teachers made the difference.

"As far as helping and inclusiveness, I appreciate you guys so much," she said to teachers at their door step. "It's been a long craptastic year." 

All the staff says they hope the 2021-2022 school year will turn things around for the better. 

"The main goal is getting those kids acclimated to school life and getting them used to the new normal," Lastra said. "Our main goal is just connecting with our families." 

It's an effort Lastra said the Brooksville community is always willing to commit to.