MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The final push is underway to prepare Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) for the return of students this week. 

Thursday, Aug. 27, the district is sharing its new motto for the coming year and some of the improvements that are part of it. 

A new playground was installed at Starms Discovery Learning Center at 25th and Lloyd. It's one of the 15 green space projects MPS has planned over the next three years. 

This is part of a new campaign the district has this year called "Expect Great Things." That includes renovation projects inside six schools, one being Starms Discovery. Inside, we saw new flooring, new lighting, a new gym and a revamped library. 

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Given the fact MPS recently cut more than 250 jobs, some might wonder where the money is coming from. 

Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says this is simply a budget priority -- that improving physical spaces is an investment that makes MPS more attractive to families that might otherwise pursue voucher schools or open enrollment in the suburbs. 

"You walk into those schools and they're bright, airy spaces, and then you come to MPS and you have schools, on average, with 85 years of age and they just look old and dingy, you walk the other way," Superintendent Cassellius said. 

"I just can't wait for our students to walk in, to see all of the floors are new, all of the walls, the designs, the colors," said Starms Discovery Learning Principal Tonya Love. "The feeling I want them to have of joy when they walk in, the renovations here. That's exactly what they're going to feel."

The reality for MPS is the district still has too many buildings with too few students, and that will lead to school closures and mergers. 

Cassellius says the district will announce community advisory meetings to discuss that in the coming weeks.