Ribbon cut on August 4 for new Blanding Elementary School

Blanding cut the ribbon on a beautiful new elementary school on August 4.
Students, parents, community members, and educators gathered to celebrate the opening of the largest school – by enrollment – in the San Juan School District.
With a snip of a ribbon by students Carter Kalakis and Axyl Blackhorse, along with a host of other bigwigs, the school opened to excited visitors.
They found a sparkling new building that is familiar in concept to other new elementary schools in the district, but with a number of specialized touches attuned to the community of Blanding.
“This is the place where everything comes together,” said Brian Parker of MHTN, the lead architect on the project.
Parker explained that there is remarkable diversity in the student population at Blanding Elementary and the building was designed to show that.
“Instead of focusing on culture and diversity, we celebrate the land that brought the cultures together,” said Parker.
Large murals in the new school showcase the mountains, mesas and canyons that make up the Blanding landscape.
Many of the elements in the murals are from artwork submitted by BES students.
While the building is attuned to the needs of the community of Blanding, Parker explained that many elements in the new school are common to the other new elementary schools in the district, including the smaller breakout rooms adjacent to each large classroom.
Parker, who has designed a number of new and remodeled school buildings in the school district added, “The breakout room concept was developed in the San Juan School District and is now standard across the State of Utah in elementary, middle and secondary schools,” said Parker.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Superintendent Christine Fitzgerald recognized both former and current staff, school board members, and students in the San Juan School District.
Fitzgerald recognized not only the teachers but kitchen staff, bus drivers and the facilities maintenance personnel who all create an environment for children to learn.
“That’s why we do the work we do. That’s why we have this new building. It’s for them and for our future. What they do in this building will be a part of all of our futures.”
Additional recognition was given to former superintendents, business administrators and other district staff for their efforts in securing funds and plans for the new school.
Fitzgerald added one thing she has heard is how the community will miss the crayon pillars outside the old Blanding Elementary School. Fitzgerald added that crayons are important in education, as they represent students.
“Yes, we learn how to read and we learn about numbers and math, but really represent that creative mind of our students, which is what we want to develop in our students, not just to add and to read, but that creativity that helps us create a better world for everyone.”
Fitzgerald added that crayons are easily breakable, which serves as another important reminder.
“It’s a reminder to me as a superintendent that our students are still learning and growing and they’re very delicate. As we work with them and communicate and speak with them, taking care of them so that they stay whole.”
In a private ceremony before the public event, Nathan Brady offered a traditional Navajo blessing.
Blanding Elementary School is hosting an event exclusively for students and families at the new Elementary school on Tuesday August 11. 
The event is designed to familiarize students and families with the new school ahead of the first day of class on August 17.
The August 11 event will be from 5 to 7 pm and will include school tours and an opportunity for students to find their new classrooms, as well as a scavenger hunt and an opportunity to meet BES administrators.