Photo by Howard Feintuch. Tiffany Doster, the 2010 Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year, addresses her fifth grade class on the first day of school at the new Barack Obama Elementary School in Upper Marlboro.

Published on: Wednesday, September 01, 2010

By Howard Feintuch

Excited was the word that kept recurring when talking to students, parents, administrators and dignitaries Aug. 23 shortly before the opening of the new Barack Obama Elementary School in Upper Marlboro.

The two story, 82,659-square-foot building is the first school in the Washington metropolitan area and seventh in the nation named after President Obama.

“Everyone is excited,” said Dr. William Hite, Jr., Prince George’s County Public Schools superintendent, shortly before the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “From talking with families here, students did not get a good night’s sleep because they were excited last night. I did not get a good night’s sleep last night either. We are all happy about the opening of this beautiful new building in Prince George’s County.”

Other dignitaries present included Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Nancy Grasmick, state superintendent of schools.

“This school represents what we aspire for our children: to give them a world class education in the finest facilities we can provide, with the best qualified teachers. That’s what you will find here at Barack Obama Elementary,” Brown said.

Teachers began arriving at the school at 6:30 a.m. and within 30 minutes the front of the building was full of eager students and parents awaiting the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the 7:45 a.m. start of the school day.

The ribbon-cutting was a group effort as the government and school officials, Principal Pearl Harmon, students and others all grasped a portion of the oversized scissors to make the snip of the long red ribbon.

Before the students entered the building for the first time, Harmon gathered her staff just inside the front entrance for a last minute talk.

“We are here and only here for our students,” said Harmon. “That’s our focus each and every day. They walk into our brand new facility for an opportunity of wonderful learning and engagement each and every day.”

Teachers lined up outside the school with signs indicating their name and the grade they teach, gathered their new students in a line and led them into the building. Many parents accompanied their children inside as the officials greeted the incoming students and parents.

Once the students were settled in their classrooms, Harmon led dignitaries and press members on a tour of the school, including a visit to the fifth grade classroom of Tiffany Doster, the 2010 Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year.

“We’re not just here preparing you for sixth grade. We are here preparing you for life. We are going to provide a positive and supportive classroom environment,” Doster said to her students.

The tour concluded with the painting of a wall mural in the front hallway of the school that included a likeness of the president.

“Barack Obama Elementary School is a wonderful opportunity for the community,” said Harmon. “We seek to advance the students forward in their education and give them the skills and knowledge to be successful as adults.”

The school is Pre-K through sixth grade, has 792 students — its full capacity — and 32 teachers. It cost approximately $18 million to build, according to Harmon.

The building is also designed with green initiatives and is the second school building within PGCPS classified as a Leadership Energy and Environmental Design for Schools.