Post by momto4 on Oct 19, 2008 8:11:42 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/valleyviews/1227768,2_5_AU19_VVSCHERER_S1.article (see link for photo)
October 19, 2008
Mud on the roadway and dusty air coming from what was once an open cornfield - now transpired into a temporary construction zone - are welcomed sights along Eola Road. Families in Indian Prairie School District waited long enough for the indelible Metea Valley High School, and it's off to a terrific start in more ways than one.
The torrential summer rains didn't appear to slow down construction according to updates posted on the Indian Prairie website www.ipsd.org. In fact, "Metea Valley construction is ahead of schedule" according to Todd DePaul, Construction Manager for the school. Metea plans to open in less than a year with freshmen and sophomores as Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2009.
When I drive past Metea every morning, not only do I see bricks, cranes, and steel beams, but also opportunities. Whether kids realize it or not, they will make history by being the first group of Mustangs to attend the third and final new high school in the district. The entire Indian Prairie Community has cause to celebrate.
Opening a new school, thus relieving overcrowding in our existing schools, means new and exciting opportunities for kids across the district. Metea freshmen and sophomores will compete in the Upstate 8 Conference for track, wrestling, swimming, and other sports. Varsity level competition will not start until 2010, but I'm still going to mark my calendar for the first home football game at Metea. High school football games can be very competitive and exciting. Such was the case when the Warriors snuck one past the Wildcats on Sept. 19. The hard-hitting players, spirited cheerleaders, and marching bands are all experiences that the Metea Mustang Community can look forward to on those crisp autumn nights under the lights.
But there's more to building a new high school than cement mixers in a cornfield. And moving efforts along is Jim Schmid, Principal of Metea Valley High School.
Schmid directed me to Indian Prairie's Web site where he posts regular updates. "My time in August has been filled with some fun items like logo and letterhead decisions, color board modifications, and conversations with future Mustang students. I also spent a significant amount of time developing a communication plan for students, staff, and community ... We anticipate about 80 percent of the Metea staff moving from current positions at their respective middle and high schools to teaching positions at MVHS. Building construction is on schedule with anticipated opening day enrollment around 1,250 students."
Mr. Schmid's latest update dated Oct. 1 said that he introduced Ms. Debbie Turner as the new LMC Director at Metea Valley. Debbie was an excellent choice. I worked with her in the library at Waubonsie Valley, and Debbie will make sure every Mustang has what he or she needs while visiting the library at Metea. After e-mailing Debbie she fired back, "I'm very excited to open Metea with, what will be, a great staff!" It's great to see enthused faculty at this exciting time in the district. Our kids can only benefit from the positive karma.
Three years passed since the weekly meetings at the Crouse Education Center where as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee we recommended the construction of the school It's very satisfying to see the seeds planted back then prospering now.
Welcome to our community, Metea Valley High School.
bryan.scherer01@my.nl.edu
October 19, 2008
Mud on the roadway and dusty air coming from what was once an open cornfield - now transpired into a temporary construction zone - are welcomed sights along Eola Road. Families in Indian Prairie School District waited long enough for the indelible Metea Valley High School, and it's off to a terrific start in more ways than one.
The torrential summer rains didn't appear to slow down construction according to updates posted on the Indian Prairie website www.ipsd.org. In fact, "Metea Valley construction is ahead of schedule" according to Todd DePaul, Construction Manager for the school. Metea plans to open in less than a year with freshmen and sophomores as Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2009.
When I drive past Metea every morning, not only do I see bricks, cranes, and steel beams, but also opportunities. Whether kids realize it or not, they will make history by being the first group of Mustangs to attend the third and final new high school in the district. The entire Indian Prairie Community has cause to celebrate.
Opening a new school, thus relieving overcrowding in our existing schools, means new and exciting opportunities for kids across the district. Metea freshmen and sophomores will compete in the Upstate 8 Conference for track, wrestling, swimming, and other sports. Varsity level competition will not start until 2010, but I'm still going to mark my calendar for the first home football game at Metea. High school football games can be very competitive and exciting. Such was the case when the Warriors snuck one past the Wildcats on Sept. 19. The hard-hitting players, spirited cheerleaders, and marching bands are all experiences that the Metea Mustang Community can look forward to on those crisp autumn nights under the lights.
But there's more to building a new high school than cement mixers in a cornfield. And moving efforts along is Jim Schmid, Principal of Metea Valley High School.
Schmid directed me to Indian Prairie's Web site where he posts regular updates. "My time in August has been filled with some fun items like logo and letterhead decisions, color board modifications, and conversations with future Mustang students. I also spent a significant amount of time developing a communication plan for students, staff, and community ... We anticipate about 80 percent of the Metea staff moving from current positions at their respective middle and high schools to teaching positions at MVHS. Building construction is on schedule with anticipated opening day enrollment around 1,250 students."
Mr. Schmid's latest update dated Oct. 1 said that he introduced Ms. Debbie Turner as the new LMC Director at Metea Valley. Debbie was an excellent choice. I worked with her in the library at Waubonsie Valley, and Debbie will make sure every Mustang has what he or she needs while visiting the library at Metea. After e-mailing Debbie she fired back, "I'm very excited to open Metea with, what will be, a great staff!" It's great to see enthused faculty at this exciting time in the district. Our kids can only benefit from the positive karma.
Three years passed since the weekly meetings at the Crouse Education Center where as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee we recommended the construction of the school It's very satisfying to see the seeds planted back then prospering now.
Welcome to our community, Metea Valley High School.
bryan.scherer01@my.nl.edu