Surrey’s newest school opened with a flourish Jan. 10, as students, staff and parents celebrated its opening day with balloons, music, coffee and refreshments in the gym – then toured the new building.
It’s still so brand new the cupboards don’t have doors on them yet, the library is still being set up and the play field isn’t ready – but none of that mattered.
“There was a lot of energy,” said Wendy Rachwalski, Parent Advisory Council president and parent of two of Adams Road’s 252 students.
She’d worried her eldest son, now in Grade 7, would grow up without ever attending the East Cloverdale school.
“To see the whole community walking to school” on Monday was a great feeling after waiting so many years, she said.
The Grade 7s were asked to cut a red ceremonial ribbon and were the first students to walk into the school, leading the younger grades on a tour that was so thorough, it even included the janitor’s room – to rave reviews.
Adams Road students and staff started the current school year in portables and classrooms at Don Christian Elementary, a school with 300-plus students of its own, making for a tight squeeze, Rachwalski said.
Much of the move was completed over the Christmas holidays and during a final week in the old school.
Rachwalski had strong praise for school staff for ensuring a smooth transition – and for being so enthusiastic.
“They’re doing an amazing job to make it exciting for the kids,” she said.
An official opening will take place later this year.
The PAC is already actively fundraising to purchase playground equipment – something not included in the $11 million school construction budget.