The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Students from Karen Daniel’s Fairdale Elementary School class sing the National Anthem during Friday morning’s official dedication ceremony of the new Fairdale Elementary School. F. Brian Ferguson

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September 4, 2010

COOL SCHOOL DEDICATED

High-tech Fairdale marks opening

By Kara Van Pelt Register-Herald Reporter

For Fairdale Elementary students, teachers and staff, Friday was a “dream come true.”

The day marked the dedication of a state-of-the-art, 52,000-square-foot facility that is now serving about 500 students pre-k through fifth grade.

The new school embraces 21st century instruction, which incorporates the use of computers and other modern teaching technologies. It offers bright, well equipped classrooms. The building is also equipped with central air conditioning.

Funding of the $8.7 million project was primarily provided by the state School Building Authority with a portion of the cost shared by the Raleigh County Board of Education. The school employs 46.

The new school is located on an 8-acre lot that sits directly behind the old school and features a large gym, cafeteria, media center, library and computer lab. Each of the 26 classrooms features interactive smart boards.

Principal Gail Mills explains what a smart board is and how it will enhance instruction and learning.

“All the children have smart boards in the classroom, so they’re interactive,” she said. “It alleviates some of the book work. Basically it is like a computer but with a much larger screen. We hope that this will excite the children to learn.”

As Mills talks about the school’s amenities, she fondly remembers the first time the students saw the new school.

“Oh, I wish you could have seen their faces,” she said. “They were walking around with their eyes glistening and they were just full of awe. I think one of their favorite things were the lockers in the classrooms. We heard so many thank-yous those first couple of days. The kids are just thrilled to be here.”

The new Fairdale school opened Aug. 23 at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.

The school also features two playgrounds, one for the upper grades and one for the lower, Mills said.

School board president Richard Snuffer spoke at Friday’s dedication and remembered back to 1961, the first day he attended Fairdale Elementary.

“All three of my children attended Fairdale and now my granddaughter will start at Fairdale,” he said. “I am invested in this community and school. I’m just so proud.”

He urged current students to take pride in their school, dream big and to not be afraid of failing.

“This school is just bricks and mortar,” he said. “The important part sits on these bleachers.

“The students, staff and faculty is what makes Fairdale Elementary what it is,” he continued. “Take this asset that is given to you, utilize it to become better and to dream of bigger things.

— E-mail: kvanpelt@register-herald.com

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