Napaskiak has opened the doors of its new school.
Classes at the new building began Wednesday morning. At midday teachers, students, and community members gathered in the gym for an opening ceremony. A Russian Orthodox priest, wearing gold and black robes, blessed the school as a choir sang behind him. The priest then sprinkled holy water throughout the building. Afterwards, everyone gathered to eat a spaghetti lunch.
Later students took to the floor, drumming and dancing. Student council members gave tours of the building. There were door prizes, a throw party, and a family versus family basketball game.
The school will serve about 150 students from kindergarten through high school. The school building it replaces was built in the early 1980s.
KYUK intern Celina Angaiak contributed reporting to this story.
