New Washington Elementary Opens for First Day of School

Some said it wouldn't be ready in time, and by the looks of things in July, it seemed they were right. Nonetheless, Washington Elementary School opened its doors this morning to kids and their families to begin school in the brand new building. Workers scrambled to finish the school, which officially passed inspection for occupancy on Monday, August 29th—the day before school began.

Hundreds of families visited the school on Monday evening for an open house, where students and their families met teachers and explored the school. Principal Keith Collins greeted families at the front door, even as an electrician worked to finish the security camera and buzzer installation at the main entrance. 

Tuesday morning, August 30^th, the school officially opened its doors. Before school workers were still hard at it, and detail work will continue as school is in session. 

Third through fifth graders enter the building on Washington Street to the lower level of the building where their classrooms are located. Kindergarteners through 2nd graders entered through the main office entrance. Their K-2 classrooms are located on the upper level of the school.

The doors open each morning for children to come in, then are closed and locked for the duration of the day. Visitors and late arrivals must go to the main office entrance on the west side of the school, to be buzzed in through security doors.

A parking lot, playgrounds and exterior landscaping are next up on the construction to-do list.

The cost of the new school was about $29.5 million. The new Washington is double the size of the old school, going from 35,000 square feet to 72,000 square feet. The new school is two stories on the north side, and one story on the south side. 

  School officials and teachers breathed a sigh of relief that the school was ready for the first day. It's a beautiful, state-of-the-art building that will facilitate student learning for the 21st century.