VALDOSTA — Kids scrambled up and down the stairs of Westside Elementary School on Thursday, eagerly seeking out their new classrooms.
As the Lowndes County School System prepares for the first day of school this coming Monday, the newest elementary school in the system opened its doors to parents, students and guests during a ribbon-cutting and open house.
Underneath the light green entrance awning, protecting the large crowd from cloudy skies, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith welcomed every one to the new school with the old name.
“Seeing this vision come to fruition is very satisfying and gratifying,” Smith said. “The area residents embraced the concept from the beginning and Pinnacle Prime has done outstanding work.”
Members and key figures in the design and development of the project, contractors Pinnacle Prime and architects J. Glenn Gregory and associates were in attendance to witness the ribbon cutting.
Smith also reflected on the history of the school, which was originally a high school, and over the years has served in many different forms and functions for LCS.
Director of Facilities and Operations Mike Powers thanked the Westside Elementary School teachers for their role in making the concept of the school a reality.
“The teachers played a large role in what this school would become,” Powers said. “We started talking with them before the architects were involved.”
Area resident Jeremiah Lawton praised LCS for taking into consideration area residents concerns about losing the identity of the original school when they began building for the future.
“At the outset of the project I think a lot of people in the community were apprehensive thinking we would lose Westside,” Lawton said. “But with our participation they have made it part of the community and has also stimulated other construction and for that we are grateful.”
Smith reassured Lawton that the school will always be called Westside.
“What Mr. Lawton didn’t realize was that I am a history teacher at heart and I believe in preserving the past,” Smith said.
Principal Creacy Sermons officially dedicated the building and encouraged everyone to tour the facilities.
Fourth grade reading teacher Angela Smith transferred from Dewar Elementary to Westside. A late addition to the school, Smith said most of the teachers volunteered for the move to the new facility.
While children are always excited about the first day of school, Smith said the children will be especially excited to attend Westside.
“I have always taught at two-story schools but the kids will be excited just to climb the steps,” Smith said.
She said that as part of her curriculum this year she will incorporate some basic Spanish, vocabulary she is sure her students will pick up with ease.
Local News
Related Photos
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Lowndes County Schools superintendent Dr. Steve Smith, right, welcomes guests at the ribbon-cutting Thursday for Westside Elementary School. Pictured next to him are Creacy Sermons, Westside principal, and Sam Lassiter, assistant principal, surrounded by the teachers and staff.
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Staff, teachers, and visitors walk through the atrium of Westside Elementary School Thursday following the ribbon-cutting for the school.
Discussion
Ribbon cut for school
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