Students get to know new school

VERNON — Students posed for pictures with Principal Rosemary Gebhardt at one of the two Cedar Mountain Primary School Open Houses, Aug. 29 and 31, 10 a.m. to noon.
Well over 200 people attended the first open house, sponsored by the School and Community Association (SCA).
Gebhardt exclaimed to a little one posing for a picture, “You're in kindergarten now. That's so exciting!”
Little kindergarten neighbors made ice cream social hats with each other. Mommies, daddies, little and big sisters and brothers, grandmas, grandpas, and precious babies helped find new classrooms.
One Daddy could be overheard saying, “That's your classroom. Pretty easy to find,” as a little daughter peeked through the window.
“Play Your Music DJ,” with Pat and Harvey, played kid friendly songs which the little ones sang along to with gusto, “You've got a friend in me,” from “Toy Story.”
Students, who just met, shared bean bags while playing new games.
SCA and staff members served chocolate and vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, lots of sprinkles, and whipped cream.
One little boy actually jumped for joy regarding the whipped cream, while another said, “Oh, yeah,” as he poured chocolate syrup over his ice cream. His mom said he had been waiting for this all week.
SCA President Trisha Furman-Leve, supportive husbands, and volunteers helped organize the Ice Cream Social and other activities. Furman-Leve said with a smile, last year they had around 25 people at the open house, in comparison to the first day's open house of over 200 people.
Gebhardt said Cedar Mountain Primary School is the new home to both kindergarten and first-graders. Currently, 220 first-graders and 190 kindergartners are scheduled to begin school.
She also added, the pictures are mementos for her students, sometimes including: preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.
Gebhardt said they also had back-to-school night where the students met in their new classrooms with teachers, along with parents.
In addition, Cedar Mountain Primary School, she said, is getting ready to celebrate its 30th year. On Sept. 8, the first day of school, and Sept. 16, the Fall Harvest Open House, there will be ribbon cutting ceremonies at the door.
Gebhardt explained the goal of all the different activities is for the students to learn how to navigate the new school building, find their classrooms, and feel comfortable.
She, staff, and volunteers succeeded as students danced and ate ice cream in the cafeteria last Tues.
One mother commented, “I think it's going to be hardest on him,” pointing to the younger brother in the stroller – not the student attending Cedar Mountain Primary School.