Third graders tour new school

Dec 24, 2021

“Oohs” and “ahhs” filled the hallways at the new Wareham Elementary School as the third grade class got their first tour of the building they’ll start attending in the new year. 

“I didn’t expect it to be this cool!” exclaimed one student soon after entering the building.

Principal Joan Seamans led half of the grade through the school, pointing out various features and design choices. The terrazzo flooring includes specks of blue, green and red, which Seamans said represented the town’s oceans, forests, and cranberries. (One student guessed cranberries a second before Seamans said it, and was very excited.)

First, the kids explored the music room. 

“This is too big for a music room!” said one student. 

Some were baffled by the cage-style lockers for instruments, with one student guessing they were to house rats. Seamans explained their actual purpose to the students, who seemed relieved.

Kids were awed by the cafetorium, with its lime green ceiling, murals and the big stage where they could someday perform. And the gym, featuring rock climbing walls, was just as exciting.

Before heading up the stairs to explore the art and STEAM rooms, some kids were jumping up and down with anticipation. 

The students were especially thrilled by the solar system depicted on the floor, the large touch-screens in each room and the windows on the second floor with views into the cafetorium and outside to the tall forests across Minot Avenue. (Although one girl said she was scared of heights.)

While walking down the third grade hallway, one student was inspired to sing a song: “The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.”

Seamans said giving the students tours has been a lot of fun.

“It’s very exciting knowing that all of our hard work over the years, we’re seeing it in their eyes,” Seamans said.

Mark Adrean, the project manager of the new school’s construction, said that several students had asked him whether he and the workers on site had built the school before telling him that everyone had done a great job. 

At the end of the tour, the students were sad to leave, with one waving behind him and calling, “Bye, school!”