Lincoln Public Schools

Kooser Elementary School Open House

Originally published on: August 25, 2009

This portrait of Ted Kooser is displayed in the front office. It was painted by Amanda Hext, an MFA graduate of UNL.

Before the doors opened at 6:20 p.m. on Monday, August 17, Principal Ann Jablonski smiled at her staff gathered in the new entryway and said, “Good job!”  Everyone was wearing a sports jersey with the numbers 09 (for 2009) and their last name displayed on the back.  One for all and all for one.

Families arrived as early as 5:45 to get a sneak peek at the new facility located at 7301 North 14th Street.  By 7:30, more than 500 students and their families found their classrooms, met staff and toured a school where everything is new.

As Chris Johnson said, “A brand new school … this will be fun!”

As families arrived, staff directed them to their classrooms.  “Hi! What grade are you in?”  “Welcome to Kooser! What grade are you in?”  Younger students to the right; older students to the left.

Jablonski greeted one family who was transferring to Kooser from Pyrtle Elementary School where she had been the principal.  As she hugged the student, she said, “You’re the only student I know!”

In Elizabeth Bowen’s first grade classroom, the first time teacher, who graduated from Lincoln East High School and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), students found their cubbies, desks and materials while their parents completed paperwork that was then deposited into the pink pig mailbox.

From the music room, there was the sound of multiple musical instruments as little hands made big sounds.  In the adjacent multi-purpose room, separated from the music room by accordion door, tables and chairs were set up to show “this is the cafeteria.”

From the gymnasium, there was the sound of students running, skipping and jumping.  This was the perfect place for parents to stop and talk while the kids had room to show just how excited they were.

Though Ted Kooser, for whom the school is named, was unable to attend, there was a life-like painting of him in the front office.  It’s on loan from Kooser who knows the artist from the UNL where she got her MFA.  The artist, Amanda Hext, now paints in Louisiana.

The public will get the opportunity to see that portrait, as well as the real Ted Kooser and the new facility on Sunday, October 11 at the official dedication ceremony that will take place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  More information online at www.lps.org.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY FOR MORE PIX FROM THE KOOSER OPEN HOUSE.