Post by gatormom on Aug 28, 2007 4:49:04 GMT -6
'I learned so much from that beautiful young lady'
Peterson Elementary remembers its namesake on first day of school
August 28, 2007
By BRITT CARSON Staff writer
Ben and Ann Peterson beamed with pride Monday as they stood alongside parents taking pictures and greeting students at the first day of school at the new Peterson Elementary School.
The Petersons cherished every hug and high-five they received from students filing off the buses. At the same time, many of the smiling faces stirred vivid memories of their daughter, Danielle-Joy Peterson, for whom the school is named.
"Seeing her name on the sign for the first time was more emotional than seeing the building," said Ann Peterson. "I can visualize her in the hallways, zipping up and down beeping the horn on her wheelchair."
Danielle-Joy Peterson was Ann Peterson's daughter. "We can just feel (Danielle-Joy) so much here," Ann Peterson said. "You can just kind of see her in (the children)."
The Petersons were touched when the new elementary school in south Naperville was named after their daughter, an animal lover and product of Indian Prairie School District 204 schools. Danielle-Joy Peterson was 22 years old when she died in 2002 after a courageous battle with cystic fibrosis.
A new start
Ann Peterson arrived at the school about 7:30 a.m. so she and her husband could be ready to greet the first children off the bus later that morning. Ben Peterson was poised by the front entrance to the school, video camera rolling, capturing the excitement of the first day.
"Her presence is here," Ann Peterson said. "The enthusiasm, the energy is evident in the faculty and staff. I hope the kids feel the positive vibe too."
The road to the opening of Peterson has been a bit rocky. The school was originally slated to open in the fall of 2006 to handle growth from the Ashwood development next door. However, the school, which was built with a state construction grant, sat empty for a year due to the slow development of Ashwood.
In 2006, the school board voted to send the entire staff and students from nearby Wheatland Elementary School to Peterson. Although the move was met with initial protest from some parents, on Monday, students and parents were all smiles at the new 850-student building.
Part of the family
Rudy Bacani held back tears and took pictures as she said goodbye to her first-grader Max and fourth-grader Cole.
"It's a little heartbreaking to send him (Max) off for a full day this year," she said.
However, the Bacani family was excited to see the Petersons on hand.
"I think it is wonderful that she (Ann) is here," Bacani said. "We already learned about Danielle and I told the kids she loved animals and they do too so that was a neat connection for them. The kids are so excited." Ann Peterson started volunteering at Wheatland in November. This summer, she was a regular at Peterson as the final touches were put on the building.
"This is more than just a school named after somebody, it is named after our daughter," Ann Peterson said.
Peterson Principal Terri Russell said the first day went smoothly.
"I am so thankful the Petersons are a part of this," she said. "They are the Peterson family and that is what we are all about."
Danielle-Joy Peterson attended Clow Elementary School, Gregory Middle School and graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School. She went on to work at what is now the Crouse Education Center from 1997 until she died in 2002. The day before she died, Danielle insisted on going to work.
"Parents should never doubt their children's aspirations," Ben Peterson said. "I learned so much from that beautiful young lady, my daughter."
Peterson Elementary remembers its namesake on first day of school
August 28, 2007
By BRITT CARSON Staff writer
Ben and Ann Peterson beamed with pride Monday as they stood alongside parents taking pictures and greeting students at the first day of school at the new Peterson Elementary School.
The Petersons cherished every hug and high-five they received from students filing off the buses. At the same time, many of the smiling faces stirred vivid memories of their daughter, Danielle-Joy Peterson, for whom the school is named.
"Seeing her name on the sign for the first time was more emotional than seeing the building," said Ann Peterson. "I can visualize her in the hallways, zipping up and down beeping the horn on her wheelchair."
Danielle-Joy Peterson was Ann Peterson's daughter. "We can just feel (Danielle-Joy) so much here," Ann Peterson said. "You can just kind of see her in (the children)."
The Petersons were touched when the new elementary school in south Naperville was named after their daughter, an animal lover and product of Indian Prairie School District 204 schools. Danielle-Joy Peterson was 22 years old when she died in 2002 after a courageous battle with cystic fibrosis.
A new start
Ann Peterson arrived at the school about 7:30 a.m. so she and her husband could be ready to greet the first children off the bus later that morning. Ben Peterson was poised by the front entrance to the school, video camera rolling, capturing the excitement of the first day.
"Her presence is here," Ann Peterson said. "The enthusiasm, the energy is evident in the faculty and staff. I hope the kids feel the positive vibe too."
The road to the opening of Peterson has been a bit rocky. The school was originally slated to open in the fall of 2006 to handle growth from the Ashwood development next door. However, the school, which was built with a state construction grant, sat empty for a year due to the slow development of Ashwood.
In 2006, the school board voted to send the entire staff and students from nearby Wheatland Elementary School to Peterson. Although the move was met with initial protest from some parents, on Monday, students and parents were all smiles at the new 850-student building.
Part of the family
Rudy Bacani held back tears and took pictures as she said goodbye to her first-grader Max and fourth-grader Cole.
"It's a little heartbreaking to send him (Max) off for a full day this year," she said.
However, the Bacani family was excited to see the Petersons on hand.
"I think it is wonderful that she (Ann) is here," Bacani said. "We already learned about Danielle and I told the kids she loved animals and they do too so that was a neat connection for them. The kids are so excited." Ann Peterson started volunteering at Wheatland in November. This summer, she was a regular at Peterson as the final touches were put on the building.
"This is more than just a school named after somebody, it is named after our daughter," Ann Peterson said.
Peterson Principal Terri Russell said the first day went smoothly.
"I am so thankful the Petersons are a part of this," she said. "They are the Peterson family and that is what we are all about."
Danielle-Joy Peterson attended Clow Elementary School, Gregory Middle School and graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School. She went on to work at what is now the Crouse Education Center from 1997 until she died in 2002. The day before she died, Danielle insisted on going to work.
"Parents should never doubt their children's aspirations," Ben Peterson said. "I learned so much from that beautiful young lady, my daughter."