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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2012)
community august28 2012 15 Vernonia Celebrates Opening of New School continued from front page The school building was designed to achieve LEED certification and to be a model which incorporates human and environmental health, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality into its design and uses. The facility includes natural lighting and ventilation and is orientated on the site to maximize use of solar energy and day lighting. A biomass boiler will provide heating and cooling through a radiant in-floor system. Solar panels will be installed to provide some power. The site includes bio swales to treat storm water; a community garden, and a greenhouse and nursery will be added. Off site is a wetland education center. “Vernonia is on the national map as a leader in natural resources education.” ~ US Senator, Jeff Merkely Construction of the new facility is almost complete with several key pieces yet to be finished. The large gymnasium and wrestling room remain under construction with hopes that they will be completed in late September. There is other minor detail work that is still unfinished, but for the most part the building is ready for the first day of school on September 4, 2012. “I have watched us dig deep and help each other and I have been blown away by the outpouring of support from our neighbors and people from across the country who have helped us clean up and rebuild our lives.” ~ Columbia County Commissioner, Tony Hyde Some people thought the day would never arrive. But arrive it did, and there were smiles all around. Especially from the children and students who now have lockers and hallways and a new school they can be proud of. Dr. Cox made sure the teachers and students were the first to enter the new building following the dedication ceremony, because first and foremost, this building will be for them. and you have demonstrated the ability, to step out on faith and say, ‘We will actually build, not just this, but we’ll build a whole new world around it.’ I want to tell you, that’s inspiring. It’s absolutely awe inspiring. From somebody who has been in big cities, all across this country, from somebody who has been across the back woods of a lot of places both here and in Washington, I can tell you I have seen inspiring and I have not seen it any more beautiful, any more finely textured, any more human than what I have seen right here in Vernonia.” ~ Chief Education Officer, State of Oregon, Rudy Crew “Kids bring us to this place of faith where we step out sometimes not knowing what might happen. We dare to dream big again in spite of adversity. We actually say to ourselves that which we hope our children will say when they are not around us which is, ‘One door may close, but another opens.’ These children in front of us, children who are going to come to this school and children all around this state, are asking us, Mariolino’s Pizza & Grill Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner & ice cream Family owned and operated for over 40 years. 721 Madison Avenue, Vernonia (503) 429-5018 KNIFE (and other edged tools) SHARPENING SERVICE DROP-OFF & PICK-UP at Made In Vernonia, 805 Bridge St. 503-429-7342 Owned and Operated by Don & Kim Wallace
