Huskies hit the hallways

The first day of school is always special, and that’s doubly true when it’s the first day for the school itself.

Joe Redington Sr. Jr./Sr. High School officially opened for business on Monday, when about 500 students packed the Knik-area school with its first team of Huskies.

“This is very exciting,” said Redington principal Thomas Lytle III, who wore a near-constant smile as he welcomed students and directed traffic in the bustling common area at the brand-new school.

Students seemed enthusiastic – as enthusiastic as possible for kids ending their summer vacations – as they took in their new digs.

Redington’s 6^th through 10^th grade students attended a variety of Mat-Su schools last year, meaning it’s a whole new ballgame for just about everyone. Some came from other area middle or high schools, something that sophomore Logan Joaquin – who attended Wasilla High last year – said will make for an exciting school year.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” he said.

However, Joaquin did admit he’d probably rather be sleeping in Monday than getting ready for a new school year.

“It’s totally sad,” he joked.

Construction on the $65 million school was completed this summer, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held August 20 at 1 p.m. The state funded 70 percent of the cost, with the borough picking up the rest.

Although the grass outside the district’s 49^th school is still starting to grow and the road was only recently paved, the building’s interior is bright, new and ready to go, with new computers and equipment around every corner. Lytle said he expects around 500 students to attend the school in its first year, which is more than was originally anticipated.

“That’s a good problem to have,” he said.

Lytle said enthusiasm at the new school is high. He noted that about 1,000 people turned out for a welcome barbecue held over the weekend, and the Mat-Su Borough has already shifted at least one additional teacher to the school to handle the large turnout. District public information officer Catherine Esary said superintendent Dr. Deena Paramo will be closely monitoring the enrollment numbers to determine if more teachers need to be shifted to the school off of Knik-Goose Bay Road.

“She’ll be watching the numbers every day,” Esary said.

Contact Frontiersman editor Matt Tunseth at 352-2268 or email matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com