Madison Dedicates Its New BuildingDuring the dedication ceremony Sunday for the new Madison Elementary School, one of the themes repeated was that the school is like a family.
Principal Jacob Hoag welcomed those in attendance.
"As a teacher and principal, I always believed schools belong to the community. And this is no different," he said.
He talked about how the school had a short time to unpack after the school was built to get ready for the school year. The school year started with no floors, but the
"community embraced us and helped us anyway possible. Without that help, without your assistance, we wouldn't be where we are today," he said.
Hoag said all the staff and teachers are thankful for the new school building.
"It is quite a building," he said.
In 2004, the Warsaw Community School Board closed Silver Lake, Atwood and Claypool elementary schools. All students were then transferred to the remaining schools. In 2007, the board decided to reopen and renovate Claypool; renovate and expand Jefferson; and build new Madison and Leesburg schools. The new schools were opened in time for the 2010-11 school year.
Before the guest speakers spoke Sunday, Madison's Sign Language Club signed the Pledge of Allegiance.
Second-grade teacher Gail Crone said teaching every day at Madison reminded her of the proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child," as everyone plays a part at Madison. Working at Madison also reminds her of what "amazing" teachers and staff they have. She also pointed out the great PTO, school clubs and sports programs at Madison.
Recently, Crone said, she asked her students what Madison means to them.
"The one thing that came across was 'Madison is a family,'" Crone said.
She said the community was very fortunate to have the new state-of-the-art school and the amazing staff to go with it.
While Warsaw is known as the orthopedic capitol of the world, she said, it can also become known as the education capitol.
Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz spoke about how the school board was dedicated to seeing the schools project through, even when the economy began tanking. Hintz said the project came in $3 million less than the anticipated $60 million estimated cost.
Hintz thanked all those who played a part in making the project happen, including past and present board members, central administration staff and the community.
"Mr. Hoag," Hintz said, "I congratulate you and your staff on the opening of this first-class facility."
Dan Robinson, school board vice president, spoke on behalf of the current and past board members who passed and approved of the project.
"They were strongly in support," he said.
On June 18, 2007, Robinson said, the school board voted to approve the method to create the four schools and the preliminary plans for the buildings. That was done after more than a year of study, he said.
"It was in our best interests to do these projects and it was unanimous," he said.
However, buildings don't teach, he said. They are just another tool. It's the great staff that teach.
As people grow, their desire to learn diminishes, he said, for different reasons. Those obstacles are something teachers have to counteract and overcome on a daily basis to spark learning in their students. Robinson encouraged students to keep learning, and take advantage of the opportunities the community has placed at their feet.
Former Madison student Emily Fish McLane, who is now a parent of two Madison students, reflected on her seven years as a Cardinal. She said that time was one of the most developmental years in her life.
She said a home is where growing and learning take place safely. A home is where people know who you are. She said there's family at Madison, and that's due to the teachers who commit themselves to being there.
Music teacher Jay Bolduc then led 22 students in first through sixth grade in four songs. Afterward, Hoag thanked the day's organizers, the school board for its vision, Hintz and his central administration team, teachers and students.
"I'm so proud to be a part of this school and community," Hoag said.
