GARDENDALE — Cheryl Reed was so excited Tuesday, she arrived at work three hours early.
A high school has only one “first day,” after all.
“I feel like I won the lottery,” Reed said from the media center at the new Gardendale High School. “It’s like getting the keys to your first new house.”
Reed is the media specialist at Gardendale High School. She was among the teachers, staff and 1,057 students who moved into the new school this week.
Despite county schools opening two hours late due to inclement weather, opening day seemed to be going smoothly Tuesday morning.
Plenty of people were on hand to ensure an efficient transition from the Rogers Building, which is slated for demolition as soon as the move to the new building is complete.
Gardendale fire marshal Rick Smith was there to make sure all of the alarms were working properly: They were.
Also there was Karen Smith Nix, a member of the Jefferson County Board of Education and parent of a GHS freshman.
Nix was working in the front office, handing out schedules and maps to students searching for their classes.
Other board of education personnel were walking the halls, helping students find the bathrooms, gym and other facilities.
Heading up all of the activity was principal Dr. Anna Vacca, who gave students no slack, even if it was the first day.
While leading a group of news photographers documenting the opening day, Vacca instructed several lingering students to hurry to class.
“As you can tell, we’re going about school,” Vacca said.
She later used the intercom system to welcome students to the new facility.
“I hope you’re enjoying the atmosphere and the new building,” she said. “This is your building to take care of.”
Up on the third floor, students in Susan Dial’s biology class were helping take care of a lab room by unpacking boxes.
Other students were booting up computers for the first time to see if they worked, standing in line at the office to get their locker combinations, or writing essays about their first day in the new building.
Teachers, students and faculty alike expressed relief to finally be in the new $46.7 million facility, which serves as a career tech center for several area schools.
“After four years of planning and building, it’s very rewarding to walk the halls and see the excitement of the students and teachers,” said Nix.
Biology teacher Susan Dial was equally excited.
“I feel like I am living a dream,” she said.
Schools
New Gardendale High School open for learning
- Schools
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Workers roll in for career day at F’dale Elementary
“I had lots of kids come up to me, especially the little ones, and tell me how excited they were. One first-grader said he wanted to be a meteorologist now,” said Susan Sullivan, a counselor at the school.
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School receives mobile computer lab
The “lab” is actually a large, rolling metal case that charges 25 laptop computers inside of it. The case can be rolled into a classroom, where students remove the laptops from the case and use them at their desks, effectively transforming a classroom into a computer lab.
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CHS to debut show in new theater on Friday
Corner High School will open its first show in its brand new theatre this Friday.
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Officials cut ribbon on new Gardendale High School
On Wednesday, Dr. Anna Vacca cut the ribbon on the new school during a ceremony attended by dozens of officials and community members.
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Students earn drama awards at festival
One hundred thirty Jefferson County elementary students participated in the festival, where they competed in four categories: Poetry Alive, Solo Acting, Duet Acting and Solo Musical.
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NJMS prepares for crucial exams
North Jefferson Middle School had an all-star cast on hand Friday.
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New Gardendale High School open for learning
Cheryl Reed was so excited Tuesday, she arrived at work three hours early. "I feel like I won the lottery,” Reed said from the media center at the new Gardendale High School. “It’s like getting the keys to your first new house.”
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Officials weigh in on school debate
Could we eventually have charter schools in north Jefferson County? Gov. Bob Riley favors the schools, but it won’t happen without a fight.
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Bryan students collect food for those in need
Just in time for Christmas, Bryan Elementary students were learning the meaning of compassion and giving.
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Roberts named FES teacher of the year
“It made my Monday very pleasant,” she said. “It’s really wonderful when your peers nominate you for something.”
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