Whitehall-Coplay School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Steckel Jr. led a groundbreaking ceremony for the new kindergarten and first-grade elementary school April 11.

Steckel thanked all who have been involved with this project, which has been in the works for several years. On hand were some current and past school directors to witness the ceremony.

Steckel was the master of ceremonies as he introduced the various dignitaries present.

U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild, D-7th, said she, as a member of the U.S. House Labor and Education Committee, is “always delighted to learn a new school is being built, because this is all about the future.”

Wild noted the elementary school years are critical as kids that age are excited to learn.

“During the early elementary years, the seeds of lifelong learning can be planted,” Wild said.

Arif Fazil, of D’Huy Engineering Inc., said Whitehall has great opportunity because the schools are all on one campus. He noted the school is a “substantial building. It will contain 500 tons of steel, two miles of piping and 321,000 bricks.”

Fazil closed his remarks by quoting Winston Churchill: “We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.”

Steve Behrens, of Breslin Architects, said the complex building planning and construction require many people and the building will be a model school building for the 21st century.

Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong, a retired Whitehall educator, commented on his long tenure in the school district. He presented a proclamation to WCSD administration and said the Whitehall campus is a jewel in Lehigh County.

“The people who work here make this school district No. 1,” Armstrong said.

Whitehall Mayor Michael Harakal said he attended a one-room school house when he was young.

“This school is undoubtedly the best move made for our kids,” Harakal said. “I am proud to be here. You are building another gem. Our school district is the best.”

The future principal of the new school and current principal of Gockley Elementary School, Denise Saylor, lauded the change to full-time kindergarten and the new building.

“The leaders of tomorrow will go through this elementary school,” Saylor said. “This building is symbolic of the Whitehall administration’s dedication to education excellence.”

Also on hand at the ceremony were Dr. Lorie Hackett, former Whitehall educator and previous superintendent who was deeply involved in the planning of the school, and Wayne Grim, former school board president with 18 years experience on the school board and who shepherded the school board through the early building planning process.

Construction will begin this spring with the plan to open the new school for the 2024-25 school year. There is a ribbon-cutting event planned after the building is completed.