Post by casey on Aug 21, 2009 9:34:26 GMT -6
Metea Valley High School opens its doors
Once-controversial Metea Valley High School opens
Comments
August 21, 2009
Check out a photo gallery of Metea Valley High School's opening Thursday at napersun.com . "I can't wait to really get involved and watch the school grow," sophomore Simone Salerno said.
In 2006, voters authorized construction of the district's third high school. The first 1,250 freshmen and sophomores to open the school are from Waubonsie Valley High School as well as Granger, Hill and Still middle schools.
On Thursday, the first-floor hallway near a block of lockers was filled with a sea of freshmen, and staff members with clipboards were available to guide them to homeroom.
"The kids are excited to be in a new setting," guidance counselor Amanda Pyzik said.
Standing in the center of activity a few steps away, Principal Jim Schmid was reminding students they had just five minutes to get to homeroom.
"Did the first bell ring?" assistant cook Donna Schilling asked amid the commotion. "I came from the West Coast, and I think this smaller school environment is better for the kids. It's fun to watch the expressions on their faces."
By 7:40 a.m., students convened in the competition gymnasium for a ribbon-cutting ceremony near the Mustang mural, which stretches from the rafters to eye level.
"We wanted the mural to evoke the feeling that our guests are in Mustang territory," Assistant Principal Joy Ross said.
Ross said in the weeks leading to opening day, teachers and staff were working as late as 10 p.m. and reporting back at 5 a.m.
"It's OK; we signed up for this," she said. "Everyone has pitched in."
At the ribbon-cutting, the high school marching band was playing the new victory fight song, while the cheerleading squad in black-and-gold school-color uniforms practiced sprints off the floor. Director of fine arts Don Devany said the fight song is a modified version of East Carolina University's song. The lyrics were written for the Metea school family.
One sign of the school's newness was the high school marching band's 13-member color guard carrying hot-pink flags.
"These are our practice flags -- our black and gold show flags aren't ready yet," said Salerno, a section leader for the group.
The first phase of construction, which represents approximately 80 percent of Metea Valley High School, has been completed. The second phase, composed of the auditorium, music rooms, aquatic center and athletic fields, is scheduled to be finished in January.
Everything is centrally located for freshmen, and the same is true for sophomores on the second floor. The high school is designed to house 3,000 students in grades nine through 12.
"The angular contemporary design is architecturally unique, but what we think is more important is the impact the design will have on students," Assistant Principal Edsel Clark said.
The school has three separate entrances and two traffic lights. On Wednesday, the traffic congestion that many had predicted wasn't evident.
At the rally, the principal shared with the students the school's "LIFE" statement: Live with integrity; Inspire passion for learning; Foster positive relationships; and Expect equity and excellence from all.
"You are in the heart of everything we are going to do," Schmid said.
"We have a high standard to uphold," sophomore Alexis Lott said, on her way to her first class. "I like the building's colors and windows. I like everything about it."
Once-controversial Metea Valley High School opens
Comments
August 21, 2009
Check out a photo gallery of Metea Valley High School's opening Thursday at napersun.com . "I can't wait to really get involved and watch the school grow," sophomore Simone Salerno said.
In 2006, voters authorized construction of the district's third high school. The first 1,250 freshmen and sophomores to open the school are from Waubonsie Valley High School as well as Granger, Hill and Still middle schools.
On Thursday, the first-floor hallway near a block of lockers was filled with a sea of freshmen, and staff members with clipboards were available to guide them to homeroom.
"The kids are excited to be in a new setting," guidance counselor Amanda Pyzik said.
Standing in the center of activity a few steps away, Principal Jim Schmid was reminding students they had just five minutes to get to homeroom.
"Did the first bell ring?" assistant cook Donna Schilling asked amid the commotion. "I came from the West Coast, and I think this smaller school environment is better for the kids. It's fun to watch the expressions on their faces."
By 7:40 a.m., students convened in the competition gymnasium for a ribbon-cutting ceremony near the Mustang mural, which stretches from the rafters to eye level.
"We wanted the mural to evoke the feeling that our guests are in Mustang territory," Assistant Principal Joy Ross said.
Ross said in the weeks leading to opening day, teachers and staff were working as late as 10 p.m. and reporting back at 5 a.m.
"It's OK; we signed up for this," she said. "Everyone has pitched in."
At the ribbon-cutting, the high school marching band was playing the new victory fight song, while the cheerleading squad in black-and-gold school-color uniforms practiced sprints off the floor. Director of fine arts Don Devany said the fight song is a modified version of East Carolina University's song. The lyrics were written for the Metea school family.
One sign of the school's newness was the high school marching band's 13-member color guard carrying hot-pink flags.
"These are our practice flags -- our black and gold show flags aren't ready yet," said Salerno, a section leader for the group.
The first phase of construction, which represents approximately 80 percent of Metea Valley High School, has been completed. The second phase, composed of the auditorium, music rooms, aquatic center and athletic fields, is scheduled to be finished in January.
Everything is centrally located for freshmen, and the same is true for sophomores on the second floor. The high school is designed to house 3,000 students in grades nine through 12.
"The angular contemporary design is architecturally unique, but what we think is more important is the impact the design will have on students," Assistant Principal Edsel Clark said.
The school has three separate entrances and two traffic lights. On Wednesday, the traffic congestion that many had predicted wasn't evident.
At the rally, the principal shared with the students the school's "LIFE" statement: Live with integrity; Inspire passion for learning; Foster positive relationships; and Expect equity and excellence from all.
"You are in the heart of everything we are going to do," Schmid said.
"We have a high standard to uphold," sophomore Alexis Lott said, on her way to her first class. "I like the building's colors and windows. I like everything about it."
Sorry, but that one's a joke. The SB hasn't come close to providing equity and excellence for all. Everyone knows it.
?