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
