Last week, before the end of the school year, Thurston Elementary students and staff had the opportunity to leave their mark on their new school by signing a beam and then watching it being put in place. While this isn’t the final beam in the construction project, the school opted to make it the ceremonial final beam so fifth grade students could participate, and because the last beam will likely be placed over the summer.
Principal Cory McElmeel highlighted that the signed beam is particularly meaningful. “Your names and excitement will become part of the structure of the building itself,” McElmeel said. “A reminder that schools are built not just from steel and concrete but from people, relationships, learning and hope.”
As the first class that will graduate from the new Thurston, third grade students got the opportunity to watch the beam placement from the narrow fence opening, while the other grades watched the beam be lifted into place over zoom. The third graders urged the construction workers on by chanting, “Raise the beam!”
McElmeel thanked the community, construction workers, students and staff and others for their roles in the project. He had a special message to the students. “This building is being created for you,” McElmeel said. “May it be a place where curiosity grows, friendships deepen, challenges are met with courage and every child feels safe, valued and inspired.”
Be the first to comment