Official ribbon cutting at new Indian Creek Elementary School highlights student diversity
Students greeted guests and showed their school pride during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Clarkston, GA — An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the new Indian Creek Elementary School on May 3.
The DeKalb County School District describes the 159,000 square foot facility as “state-of-the-art.” The new facility replaces the former building built in 1961 and was funded through E-SPLOST V, approved by voters in 2016.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Vasanne Tinsley noted that the ceremonial opening of the school building had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that the school had actually been in use all year.
DeKalb County School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Vasanne Tinsley speaks during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
She described the new facility as a $42.8 million investment in DeKalb County’s children, who are its future. “Our future is bright indeed,” said Tinsley.
5th grader Joseph Pau offered inspirational comments, saying “Indian Creek was where my life changed.” Pau gave a detailed narration of his experiences at the school, offering reviews of which teachers allow students to watch movies during lunch and which ones give difficult assignments. Pau followed up by thanking the district for providing a new school and maintenance staff for keeping it clean. “In closing, I want to thank Principal BB [Brown-Bryant], the faculty and staff for seven wonderful years and allowing me to meet people from many different cultures,” said Pau.
Attendees were greeted by students in a variety of languages spoken at the school, which include Burmese, Nepali, Farsi, Pashtu, Vietnamese, Dari, Amharic, Swahili, Arabic, and Tring.
Several speakers noted the diverse nature of the student body. Stephanie Brown-Bryant, who is the Indian Creek ES principal, said that approximately 80% of her students were born outside the US and speak more than 35 languages. “Clarkston is known as the Ellis Island of the South, and is considered to be the most diverse square mile in the United States,” Brown-Bryant added.
Mayor Beverly Burks of Clarkston spoke of the school as a center of community. She praised the opportunity it provides those parents who are “new Americans” to participate. She also said that the city of Clarkston had been able to provide vaccines for the community at the school.
Dr. Antoinette Campbell, the interim Regional Superintendent for Region 4, said, “If you want to see the world, just stand out here during dismissal one day, and you will see it.”
Board of Education member Allyson Gevertz congratulates Indian Creek Elementary Principal Stephanie Brown-Bryant following a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony at the school in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Principal Stephanie Brown-Bryant speaks during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Vasanne Tinsley speaks with Indian Creek Elementary Principal Stephanie Brown-Bryant following a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony at the school in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Principal Stephanie Brown-Bryant (center) along with Board of Education members and Clarkston Mayor Beverly Burks cuts the ribbon for the new Indian Creek Elementary School during a COVID delayed ceremony in Clarkston on Tuesday May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students greeted guests and showed their school pride during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students greeted guests and showed their school pride during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
ESOL teacher Shawna Tamakloe and student ambassadors wait for the festivities to begin during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students from grades 3-5 sing “This Little Light of Mine” during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Dr. Antonette Campbell, DeKalb County School District Interim Regional Superintendent, Region 4, on left, stands with Principal Stephanie Brown-Bryant during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students from grades 3-5 sing “This Little Light of Mine” during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Board of Education member Dr. Joyce Morley speaks during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
From left, Board of Education members Allyson Gevertz and Deirdre Pierce and city of Clarkston Mayor Beverly Burks listen to a speaker during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Board of Education member Diijon DaCosta looks on with a smile as student Joseph Pau tells his inspirational story during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Student ambassadors welcome guests in their native language during a COVID delayed ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
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