STORY, SLIDE SHOW: First day of school a big one for Kent School District’s Panther Lake Elementary

After waiting years for the opening of the new Panther Lake Elementary school, a few more weeks was nothing.

But as students all over Kent were reporting for their first day of school, hundreds of students, parents and district officials gathered outside the new Panther Lake Elementary for what was not only the first day of school for the year, but the first day for the school.

“Today’s the day we’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” said Principal Beth Wallen in a special ceremony before the day officially began.

In a short ceremony in front of the building’s main entrance, Wallen tied the new building to the history of the prior buildings named “Panther Lake,” which stretches back more than 100 years.

“We’ve certainly come a long way since 1906,” she said.

With board members, district officials and the current and previous superintendent both on hand for the opening, Wallen thanked all of those involved and then addressed the 652 students who will call the building home for the next 10 months.

“We are here for you and we are thrilled to have you with us today,” she said.

The day began with a special ceremonial raising on not one, but two American flags donated to the school by community members. The first flag was donated by a local family (who did not wish to give their last name) and had been flown over the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor in honor of a relative who died in the 1941 attack.

The second flag was given to the school by a lieutenant colonel from the 101st Airborne division. The flag was flown in Afghanistan during a combat mission in May.

Members of American Legion Post 15 of Kent also were on hand for the special ceremony.

The grand opening celebration also featured a pair of naming ceremonies, both approved in June by the Kent School Board.

First, the large field in the back of the building was named for the family that once lived on the site of the new school. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Fred High said the conveyance of the property to the school by the Polky family paved the way for the school to be built and a sign proclaiming the Polky Playfields was unveiled for Nathaniel Polky, who as a child was a student at the former Panther Lake Elementary.

The library of the new building also received a ceremonial name, an honor given to Barbara Grohe, the now-retired superintendent whose dedication and focus to getting the school built made Tuesday’s opening possible, High said.

“Knowing Barb’s love of reading, we thought the library was the perfect way to honor her,” he said.

Grohe also was given the honor of cutting the ribbon to the new school, which stretched across the columns at the main entrance.

As Grohe approached the ribbon with a pair of giant scissors, the students ooh’d and aah’d and then erupted into applause as she sliced through it.

“Thank you Dr. Grohe, we’ve been waiting for that for a long time,” Wallen said.

Also on hand for his first day in the district was Superintendent Edward Lee Vargas. The district’s newest chief urged the kids to do their best and said the new building, which he called a “prototype school” was like the kids themselves.

“This school was built for you,” Vargas said. “This is about building tomorrow, today.”

Also on hand was Kent Education Association President Lisa Brackin Johnson who urged the children to make the best of their new building.

“When you walk into your new school, see how beautiful it is and know it is a reflection of who you are, too,” she said.

Then, after the ringing of a ceremonial replica turn-of the-century school bell (the original Panther Lake bell has been relocated to the Panther Lake Community Church in Kent) students and parents piled into the building for their first look.

At a small reception in the school’s multi-purpose room, parent Suzanne Kiehn said the new building was beautiful.

“I think these children have deserved this school for a long time,” she said. “I think they’ve done a good job.”

Fellow parent Lisa Nakamura agreed.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “I’m impressed.”

Wallen said she was excited that the opening had finally arrived after years of waiting and planning.

“I’m thrilled it’s finally here. I’m thrilled to see the kids and the families,” she said. “Seeing the looks on those faces – we have been waiting for that for so long.”