Students, faculty and staff have been moved into Perry Elementary Center dedicated to Esther H. Ludwig since the day after Labor Day. On Thursday, Nov. 13, it was the community’s turn to enter the new elementary school in the Hamburg Area School District during the grand opening ceremony and open house.
“Thank you all for coming out tonight to celebrate our official grand opening activities,” said Dr. Shawn Gravish, Perry Elementary Center principal, on the first snowy evening of this school year. “Together as a whole community we were able to successfully establish this warm, welcoming and positive learning center for all of our children.”
The beginning of the evening took place in the new auditorium and featured many thanks for all those involved with the project no matter how small or how big.
“Welcome to the celebration of the opening of Perry Elementary Center dedicated to Esther H. Ludwig. Actually, it’s the celebration of accomplishing the last piece of a facilities puzzle that started more than 10 years ago,” said Steven Keifer, Hamburg Area School District superintendent, after informing the students that they would not have a snow day the following day. “Hamburg Area School District has four relatively new or updated schools and exceptional athletic facilities.”
The moment of celebration was well deserved as the project was not “without some curves or bumps,” according to Keifer.
When planning begun for the new elementary school, about 15 different sites were considered. “But, it become evident rather quickly that our community really wanted a new school on this site,” explained Keifer. “Of course, building a new school where the school already exists creates some unique challenges.”
In order to begin construction of the new school, elementary school students at both Tilden and Perry began and ended the 2012-2013 school year two weeks early. Which Keifer described as a critical decision as it allowed for the new center to open only four days later than the other schools in the district this year. For the 2013-2014 school year, Perry students kindergarten through fourth grade shared Tilden Elementary Center and the fifth grade students from both schools were moved to the middle school.
A slideshow was shown of the Perry Elementary Center project that started with the “Goodbye Perry” events all the way up to the teachers and students getting into the new school. The slideshow was put together by Paul Havanko, Tilden Elementary Center librarian.
“This journey of ours has been filled with excitement and much change in the elementary division,” said Gravish. “We need to emphasize the dedication of our teachers and staff honing their craft daily and the hard work of the students, parents and families committed to see every child be successful throughout their educational career here in the Hamburg Area School District.”
The new Perry Elementary Center features many unique features, some that can be seen and some that cannot, such as being energy efficient, light harvesting, unique cooling system and more. But, just because there is a new Perry does not mean that the old Perry has been forgotten. Throughout the school is memorabilia from the community preserving the past including a display case using the old doors from the main entrance.
“We made sure the history of Perry will not be forgotten and will be prominently displayed around the building,” said Keifer.
“From the Perry alumni, we continue to learn what it means to be proud of where you came from, what one has learned from in their youth and how important it is to establish that strong work ethic that you carry with yourself for the rest of your life,” said Gravish.
“It symbolizes history and heritage brought forward from the old Perry to the new,” commented Marianna Burns, school board representative, on the displayed history.
After the brief introduction ceremony, community members were invited to roam around and explore the school getting a close look at the classrooms and facilities. On hand were community members who shared the history of Perry and teachers and staff that explained features of the new classrooms. For many former Perry graduates, it was a chance to see how their past has influenced the new learning environment.
“We carry on the good name of Perry, to provide a place for us to reach for our rigorous goals and achievements inside and outside the classroom,” said Gravish. “I could not be prouder to be a part of this community. I call myself a resident of the Hamburg Area School District and a Hawk. I’m so proud to be a part of this team and the community.”
The whole project was able to be completed due to the teamwork between the community and the school district.
“I must profess my sincerest gratitude to all of you,” said Gravish. “Parents, community, alumni, students, school board, everybody shared their concerns and ideas with the utmost respect while looking toward what could be the best for all involved in building a new building.”
Just part of the community’s involvement is evident in the constructed playground which was financed by the Perry PTO and built in one day during a large community build.
The new Perry Elementary Center is dedicated to Esther H. Ludwig who was a Shoemakersville resident known for her act of kindness towards individuals in the community. She established the “Esther H. Ludwig Scholarships” to provide financial assistance to residents of the Hamburg Area School District who attend higher education.
Community members spent the snowy evening recalling the old Perry while embracing the new Perry.
