Thrasher Elementary is hosting a two-day celebration to mark the grand opening of the school’s new $459,000 gymnasium facility. The Dressler Physical Education Center is named after Dr. Keith Dressler and family for their generous contributions to the gym’s fundraising campaign.
“This gymnasium has been three years in the making, but it’s definitely been worth the wait,” said Thrasher Principal Jean Trohanis. “It’s been an overwhelming experience to see the tremendous support of the parents and this community on behalf of our children."
To celebrate the close of the fund-raising campaign and the opening of the new facility, school officials have several exciting events planned for the entire community.
Thursday, Oct. 21. Family Fun Night will be held at the school from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Families will enjoy a picnic-style dinner and get a sneak peek of the gymnasium. Parents and students will also have a chance to test out the new gym equipment, which was purchased through the fund-raising efforts of the children of Thrasher and Nolan Elementary schools. There will be a drawing to select three students to be “ribbon-cutters” at the grand opening celebration the next day.
Friday, Oct. 22. Parents, students, community leaders and elected officials will gather at the Signal Mountain Plaza to participate in “Walk to School Day.” Walkers will leave the plaza and head for Thrasher Elementary at 7:45 a.m. An official dedication ceremony will take place in front of the gymnasium at 8:30 a.m.
“At Friday’s dedication, we will have several students, sponsors and parents create a life-size puzzle,” said Thrasher PTA President Lisa Hawkins. “This symbolic gesture will show how it took the entire community coming together to make the gym a reality.”
Individual donors, businesses and other sponsors will be recognized with “panther paws” and commemorative bricks leading to the gym. Also, decorative banners that include business sponsors’ names will be displayed in the Dressler Physical Education Center for one year.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have so many people support our children,” Mrs. Hawkins said. “We just want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who made our dream come true.”
Thrasher recently received national recognition by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2004 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School.