For the week of August 27 - September 2, 2003

New high school opened to community, classes

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Though school began for Blaine County students on Monday, Aug. 25, the new Wood River High School drew crowds to its open house and dedication ceremony Thursday, Aug. 21.

Senior Class President Christina Arp cuts the ribbon Thursday at the entrance of the new Wood River High School, along with the other student leaders and cheerleaders at the Open House. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Superintendent Jim Lewis, WRHS Principal Graham Hume and BCSD Director of Operations Bill Resko handled the dedication ceremony under the careful eye of Kate Lombardi, the young and energetic Community School Relations Coordinator. A plaque in the courtyard was dedicated to the late Food Service Manager Jan Gripne. Former BCSD Superintendent Phil Homer and the School Board Trustees also were singled out for their hard work over the years.

"The community should be proud," Lewis said at the dedication. "To the student body: It’s not just this Monday that counts, it’s every Monday. To the staff: It’s a beautiful building but it’s what you do, the work you do that will make the difference.

"Take that charge seriously. We can’t rest on laurels. We have more buildings to build. We’ll celebrate tonight but tomorrow we get right back to work."

Enrollment for all BCSD schools is tallied the first few days that school is in session but these numbers can be misleading, Clerk of the School Board Cathy Zaccardi said Tuesday.

"In particular, the Wood River High School figures appear very high. Until the staff can account for which students have left the district and are not returning, this number will remain questionable."

As of Tuesday, the district’s total enrollment was calculated at 3,247, an increase of almost 200 from last year’s enrollment as tallied June 2003.

 

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