Smiles all around at Wichita's new Dodge Elementary

August 17, 2011|by Christina Karaoli Taylor | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — The first day of school was a day of discovery for students and parents at one of Wichita's newest schools.

"I'm excited about it," said Aubrey Mentis whose son is in second grade at the new Dodge Literacy Magnet Elementary.

Classes started Wednesday in a new building. The school was rebuilt with money from the 2008 school bond issue that Wichita voters passed.

"All in all, I really love what our taxpayer money is going toward at the new school," says Mentis.

He's talking about the new classrooms, the new library, the parking lot and the new gym that's no longer part of the cafeteria.

The cafeteria not only has its own space but it's own name. It will now be known as "The Dodge Diner."

Students are excited. "We don't have to wait for the people in the gym to clean up from breakfast," says fifth grader Joey Maxwell.

Joey will learn using lots of new tools in his classroom, like smart boards. His teacher says students no longer have to worry about things like the heater not working. Instead, they can focus on their school work.

"I'm ready for the new year," says Allyson Nemeskal who's been teaching at Dodge for four years. "I'm ready to teach these kids everything they need to know to move to middle school next year. It's just amazing."

Everywhere you look at Dodge Elementary, you'll find smiles. Everyone here it seems, is ready to learn.

"We can teach them to repsect this beatiful new building that we have and throw in a whole bunch of other lessons," Nemeskal says with a smile on her face.

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