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PHOTOS: Vale Middle School open house draws a crowd

A local family takes advantage of the photo station at the Vale Middle School open house Monday, Aug. 12. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

VALE — The community celebrated the new Vale Middle School Monday, Aug. 12, with a ribbon cutting and open house. Construction for the building started in March 2018 after voters approved an $8 million bond to go with $4 million from the state.

The completed school, capping off at $10.3 million, features eight classrooms, science and computer labs, a 1,000-seat gym and updated security features.

A crowd of about 250 citizens walked through the new building, checking out the amenities in preparation for the school year. The open house also had a photo station where people could pose with Viking props, as well as tables of trophies from the old building that attendees were encouraged to take if the award had meaning to them.

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Vale School Board member Dave Wenger, Vale Middle School Principal Jeri Schaffeld, district superintendent Alisha McBride and Chamber of Commerce president Jessica Kulm cut the ribbon in front of the new middle school Aug. 12. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

A crowd moves towards the middle school entrance on Monday, Aug. 12, after the ribbon cutting. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

Lynette Anderson signs in for the open house after district superintendent Alisha McBride asked all attendees to write their names to document the occasion. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

An attendee signs into the open house. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

Shirley Harrod looks at the table of trophies that attendees were encouraged to take if the awards have value to them. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

Vale School Board member Dave Wenger finds a trophy his son Daniel won in 2014. (The Enterprise/Les Zaitz)

Open house attendees walk through the library, or “media center,” on Monday, Aug. 12. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

A stuedents finds a moment of solace with a book during the busy open house. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

A young attendee smiles with a Viking hat at the photo station. (The Enterprise/Isabella Garcia)

A sign boasting Viking pride sits in the principal’s office. (The Enterprise/Les Zaitz)

Several whiteboards throughout the school had thankful messages for the support the community showed when passing the bond that made the building possible. (The Enterprise/Les Zaitz)

Open house attendees check out the science room, complete with extra storage space and islands with sinks. (The Enterprise/Les Zaitz)

The main hallway features high ceilings and a wide corridor to accommodate traffic, as well as increase visibility. (The Enterprise/Les Zaitz)

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