PARADE MARKS OPENING OF BLANCHARD

A parade and reception were held Tuesday morning to mark the changeover of Barbara Blanchard Elementary School from "a hillside, an idea and a budget" to an operating elementary school.

Superintendent Dr. Dan Steska called the school's opening a "climactic event" that represented Cape Girardeau's first new public school since 1967, when the vocational-technical school was built. Clippard Elementary School, built in 1965, was the last elementary school opened in the district.

"It's been a long time coming," Steska said. "This is such an exciting point for the school district and the community as a whole."

Building namesake and former Washington Elementary School principal Barbara Blanchard joined students and some 60 parents, school officials and district patrons in a half-mile parade from the Show Me Center to the school. VFW members and the Central High School band and cheerleaders also participated in the event.

After the parade, an outdoor ceremony was held to raise the school's flag, lay the cornerstone and cut a ribbon to officially open the school.

"I want the teachers and students in this building to know I am present for this historic occasion," said Blanchard. "I'm present and I'm ready to work."

Blanchard said she will miss Washington and May Greene schools because they "served this community well for more than 80 years." However, she is proud of the newest elementary school and has many feelings regarding the building being named in her honor, including thankfulness, humility and pride.

"I don't think I truly comprehended it," she said. "All I know is there were many, many people whose names deserved this spot as well as mine."

Although the building opened Tuesday, many of the hallways were already lined with student artwork and laminated poster displays. Principal Barbara Kohlfeld said parents, teachers, support staff and community members invested many hours this month moving equipment and arranging rooms, and the result was a building students could be proud of.

"These are the sweetest kids I know and they deserve the very best," Kohlfeld said. "I just have three wishes for them: that they be safe and secure, that they be happy, and that they achieve their full potential."

Teachers said the transition from two buildings to one has been fairly smooth. "Some of my kids said they really missed Washington when we came this morning, but for the most part everyone's really excited now to be here," said second-grade teacher Kathy Miller.

Students said they liked the size and look of the new school. The separate gym and cafeteria were appreciated, as were the larger classrooms and special art and music classrooms.

"We've got more computers and dry erase boards with markers," said Dylan Campbell, 8. "I think it's neat."

Jessica Harris, 8, also liked the additional classroom computers and the computer lab her class will have access to. "I like it more than the old school because it's more wide and bigger," she said.

Mayor Al Spradling III said new buildings are a starting point for improving education and sparking community growth. Blanchard school will help to attract new industry and residents to Cape Girardeau, as would the proposed high school the district hopes to build, he said.

"While a building does not necessarily educate, it represents a commitment to the future," said Spradling. "These new facilities do make a different in the learning environment for our children and our community's ability to attract new residents and industry."

Blanchard will be open to the public from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday for tours. At 7:30 p.m., a public forum will be held to answer questions regarding the proposed high school the district hopes voters will approve funding for in April.