Laurel Park Elementary School Celebrates Opening
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| Wake Board of Education member Ron Margiotta addresses the crowd. |
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| Students perform the "Funky Penguin" dance for the audience. |
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| At the end of the dance, students did the waddle on their way out! |
October 2, 2008 - Laurel Park Elementary School celebrated the opening of their new school by holding a dedication ceremony Wednesday, October 1 for parents and members of the community.
The event was held in the school’s cafeteria which was decorated in school colors: red, black and white. The stage was lined with stuffed penguins to display the school’s mascot. Laurel Park second-graders performed their school song and closed the ceremony by dancing the “Funky Penguin.” After the dedication ceremony, Laurel Park staff guided visitors through the new building and answered questions about their new school.
“We’ve been open only since July 7th, but since that day, we have been the Laurel Park penguins. That’s because the staff, the students, and the parents have shared a commitment to doing whatever is necessary to make this school great. And it is!” said Principal Gail Turner.
Principal Turner, Superintendent Del Burns, Wake County Board of Education District 8 Representative Ron Margiotta, Wake County Commissioner Harold Webb and Laurel Park PTA President Kim Trezona raved about the new school.
The new elementary school was re-configured for use as a school from the former Bespak Industrial Plant. Architects and school planners re-designed the building by providing a new second floor at the existing high-bay space, providing outdoor play areas, parking and auto and bus loops.
“The opening of Laurel Park Elementary School is a true representation of what solid planning and some creative thinking will do,” said WCPSS Superintendent Del Burns. “With the help of our many partners in the community, we were able to turn an old warehouse into a great looking school for hundreds of students in Wake County.”
Laurel Park opened on July 7 with approximately 600 students on the multi-track year-round calendar. The new two-story elementary school is a partnership between the school system, the Town of Cary, Town of Apex and Wake County.
The WCPSS Facilities Department, Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee Architecture, and DH Griffin Construction were paramount in having the building ready in time for students and staff.