Nebo School Districts Welcomes 2 New Middle Schools

Two New Middle Schools Built in Nebo School District
By Lana Hiskey

Nebo School District welcomes two new middle schools this year – Maple Grove Middle is located in Mapleton at 1587 West 400 South and is under the direction of Principal Nathan Whitney, Assistant Principal Sarah Brunson, and Dean of Students Kate Elliott. Spring Canyon Middle is located in Springville at 599 West 700 South and is directed by Principal Alison Hansen, Assistant Principal Travis Moss, and Dean of Students Angela Youd.

Superintendent Rick Nielsen welcomed all those in attendance at both ribbon cuttings. He said “These schools are a reminder for everyone that what we do in Nebo School District begins and ends with students. The building shell is constructed and now the soul--the students--will enter the shell and bring it to life.”

Both schools sit on a 18-acre site with 143,500 square feet of floor space with 51 teaching stations, 2 computer labs, 1 full gymnasium, 1 lecture hall, and a cafetorium with a stage.

“I am happy to welcome our wonderful parents, students, teachers, and the entire Mapleton and Spanish Fork bench community to this amazing new building and the ribbon cutting ceremony,” stated Principal Nathan Whitney, addressing all those in attendance at the ribbon cutting ceremony. “Students that attend this inaugural year will always remember that they were the first group of students to attend this beautiful new school. It will be a memory that lasts a lifetime! This school will be an asset to the community for generations, not just because it is a beautiful building, but because of the learning that will happen and the students’ lives that will be changed as they gain a great education that will be provided here.”

After listening to the Maple Grove Middle choir sing, “Proud to be an American,” School Board member, Scott Card, said, “In case anyone has been watching the news and wonder if schools still teach God, country, and family, Nebo School District continues to teach these wonderful American values. I could not have said it better than this choir.

“What does a school do for a community? Besides churches, schools are the most important building in the community. These are buildings that create opportunities for your kids. For kids to learn truth and knowledge and distinguish between right and wrong. These are buildings where values are taught. Where careers are started. Where seeds are planted. Students are going to be able to learn from wonderful teachers and faculty, the experts that have gone to school and dedicated their lives to teach your children knowledge, skills, values, and confidence.

“These schools give your kids the opportunity to shine, to come out of their shell, to talk, to perform, to support your efforts as parents to grow into the very best adult that they can.

“We are grateful to the tax payers. Our children deserve it, our community deserves it, and the nation deserves the very best education in the world. The only thing that is going to fix this world is education and religion. This is one of those places that will fix this world.

“Thank you for paying taxes. We recognize the sacrifice and thank you for contributing to society by supporting our children to continue on and to grow up to be healthy–both mentally and emotionally strong--grow up with opportunities to be successful in this life.”

When welcoming the students and families to the Spring Canyon Middle School, Principal Hansen said, “One hundred and twenty-five years ago, Utah became a state. This year has been a fun celebration of that anniversary. We all know the phrase, ‘This is the Place’ in conjunction with Utah’s history. I would like to suggest that today, Spring Canyon Middle School is the ‘place.’”

“Spring Canyon is the place where over 1,200 people, both students and teachers, will learn together, enjoy each other, and probably cry a little together every day. It is the place where every 11 and 12 year old in Springville will share space together and all of us at Spring Canyon can’t wait to embark on this journey with you.”

John Taylor, School Board member in the Springville area said, “I love middle schools! Middle schools are symbolic of what we can do when we join together and think about a better way to do things.”

“I feel that sixth-graders are just too old for elementary schools, but not quite ready for junior high. Seventh-graders do much better when they are allowed opportunities to lead and to excel. Those seventh-graders can sometimes get lost when they are clumped together with kids older than them.

“The middle school model allows us to specifically target our curriculum to the unique academic and developmental needs of sixth- and seventh-grade students.”