District, board members tour new school

Editor's note: The story that ran in the print edition of the CBH contained a typo in the date for the open house. The event will be held August 30, not August 3.

MOSES LAKE - Park Orchard Elementary school's new principal led a tour of the new school building as it nears completion.

Park Orchard Principal Eric Johnson and Assistant Project Manager Sean Dowell led representatives of the Moses Lake School District and board of education through the new school building.

The building was modeled after Sage Point Elementary. One of the benefits of having the school modeled after an existing building was the ability to make improvements on the original design, said Johnson. For example, a closet was added to the main office and the oven in the teacher's lounge features a sturdy metal range instead of the delicate glass one that quickly broke at Sage Point.

Furniture will arrive at the school Thursday, Friday and Monday and the school library will be ready for readers, fully stocked with new books, by Aug. 16, said Johnson.

Johnson estimated approximately 350 students are enrolled so far. Many parents register their children after Labor Day, he said. So that number is likely to increase.

The building was designed for growth, he said. Starting out, two or three classrooms will remain empty in anticipation of enrollment increasing later on, he said.

Teachers will first gain access to the school when they meet there on Aug. 22, said Johnson. The office will open Aug. 23 with office hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parents of kindergartners or children new to Moses Lake can register their children as early as Aug. 23, said Johnson.

On Aug. 30 from 5 to 7 p.m., parents are invited to the school, located at 417 N Paxson Drive, to meet the school staff and tour the building.

Parents with questions should call the school district office at 509-766-2650 until Aug. 15, as the new school's phones will not be operative until then, said Johnson. After Aug. 15 parents can call the school office at 509-766-2699.

The first day of school for grades 1-5 is Aug. 31. Kindergarten students are on a staggered schedule and should contact their school if they haven't yet been notified when their child is to start.

School supply lists can be found online at www.moseslakeschools.org/parkorchard.cfm.

A mascot was chosen for the new school - the Park Orchard Grizzlies - as well as school colors: green and white.