Minter Creek Elementary School’s journey down memory lane ramps up

Jessica Takehara

Principal Ty Robuck and Kindergarten teacher Kari Gulbranson discuss agenda items at Minter Creek Elementary’s recent, well-attended PTA meeting. Photo by Jessica Takehara, KP News

It was a capacity crowd on Sept. 10 for the first PTA meeting of the school year at Minter Creek Elementary. With standing room only, parents new to the school, others who have been Dolphins for many years and staff discussed a packed agenda. Among the many topics, ongoing plans for celebrating the school’s 30th year anniversary were at the top.

One parent present at the meeting has a unique perspective on this commemoration because she attended Minter 30 years ago as a student. In a time when acid-washed denim was a major fashion statement and Paula Adbul was racing up the Billboard charts, Jennifer Price-Paul started her tenure as a Minter Creek Dolphin. Her class was, in fact, one of the first groups to proceed entirely through the school from Kindergarten to fifth grade.

Price-Paul remembers many wonderful details from her time at Minter. One is how her second-grade grade teacher gave her a book of poetry that she found strength in on days when feeling the insecurities of childhood. “There was always such a warm feeling. I felt safe and secure being at the school,”said Price-Paul with genuine emotion.

Another aspect Price-Paul highlights, is the atmosphere of family at Minter. Many of the staff members have taught at the school since those earliest, new building days. Many families have spent over a decade as a Minter parent with numerous children enjoying the K-5 experience. Some, like Price-Paul, are themselves alumni who now have students at the elementary school.

In fact, this last point lends unique insight to Price-Paul’s perception of Minter. She can see it through the eyes of a student and that of a parent with the ability to connect the continuum. She has lived the history of the school and community. She continues to live it right now because all three of her children currently attend; ranging from Kindergarten to 4th grade.

The “sense of connection and family is still present”Price-Paul said. This is in her thoughts as her son Treston starts third grade. She also remembers that current fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Stafki’s mom was her third-grade teacher.

The importance of connection persists at Minter too; exemplified when Principal Ty Robuck attended the adoption of her daughter Sarah who is in Mrs. Kobasa’s fourth-grade class this year. Price-Paul affirms without hesitation that this school believes in “full family support.”

Now, as Vice-President of the PTA, Price-Paul encourages not only parents but all community members to get behind the celebration of Minter Creek’s 30th year anniversary.

Maria Kusche, chair for the event, echoes this call. “We want to hear from past alumni. Send us stories and memories about our school”urges Kusche.

An upcoming planning meeting in October is in the works for deciding on one large event to mark the occasion along with one significant gift from the PTA to the school.

For information, visit Minter Creek PTA Facebook page or send an email to mintercreekpta@hotmail.com with ideas and stories. The next PTA meeting will be on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.