Dickinson residents can help name school

Talk about it

As has been regularly reported, the Dickinson Public Schools is proceeding with construction of a kindergarten to fifth grade elementary school in northwest Dickinson.

Construction is scheduled to begin in April with the facility scheduled to open in the fall of 2013. This facility will be west of the intersection of 10th Avenue West and 26th Street West.

The school district has been working with the district-wide Parent Advisory Council to develop a plan for receiving input into the name for this new facility.

The district-wide PAC is comprised of one representative from each of the schools in the district. Through public input, we hope to identify a name for the school that best represents the qualities and values of the community and school district.

The district-wide PAC has been reviewing the process for gathering input into this decision and the following information is provided to invite the community of Dickinson to participate.

When submitting names for the new facility the district-wide PAC is suggesting consideration of the following alternatives:

- Individuals: A famous local, state or national figure who exemplifies courage, respect, honesty, tolerance or other admirable traits.

- Places: Locations, landmarks or topographical features related to the school site, such as a street, historical marker, river or the community or neighborhood in which the school is located.

- Symbolism or a symbolic name: A word or words that capture the essence of the place or function of the school.

- Any combination of the above.

There will be an email link on each school’s website and the School District main page where suggestions may be submitted, or send a suggestion to:

Attention: Name the School 2012

Dickinson Public Schools

444 Fourth St. W.

Dickinson, ND 58602

The window for submitting suggestions through email will be available beginning on Jan. 25 and will close on Feb. 29.

Suggestions may be mailed anytime through Feb. 29. Once the deadline expires, the suggested names will be compiled and the PAC will review the suggestions and submit two to five alternatives for consideration. The School Board will make the final selection. The goal is to have a name selected by the end of this school year.

We look forward to receiving your suggestion and hope the community will be actively involved in naming the new elementary school.

I hope you each have had a happy new year.

If you have any questions about any issue in the Dickinson Public Schools, please do not hesitate to contact me at 701-456-0002 or at douglas.sullivan@dickinson.k12.nd.us.

Sullivan is the Dickinson Public Schools superintendent.

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