New Valley View Middle School Ribbon Cutting

Valley View Middle School in Salem, Utah, held its ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, August 17, 10:00 a.m. Principal David Knudsen welcomed future students, city officials, state representatives, Nebo School District personnel, school employees, and parents.

Principal Knudsen said, “I am excited to have our hallways full of students. It will be nice to hear them laugh and see their smile and excitement in their eyes. It has been way too long without students, and it will be nice to have life return back to being more normal.”

The Boy Scouts of America troop #1944 conducted the American flag ceremony in respectable fashion. 

Superintendent Rick Nielsen introduced honored guests including MHTN Architects, Westland General Contractors, engineers, and others that made this school possible.            
“This is a reminder for everyone that what we do in Nebo School District begins and ends with students,” Superintendent Nielsen said. “The shell is constructed and now the soul--the students--will enter the shell and bring it to life.”

Some of the new students coming to this brand new school sang “Homeward Bound” arranged by Jay Althouse. The pianist was Coral Lee Findley, and the student choir was directed by Heather Christiansen. 

Rick Ainge, a Nebo School Board member representing Salem, Woodland Hills, and Elk Ridge communities, spoke to the crowd about this memorable event. 

“As a school board we are very excited about having students back in our schools again. The opening of this new school begins a new era in Nebo School District returning to the sixth- and seventh-grade middle school grade configuration. Our middle schools are designed to help students transition smoothly from elementary school and prepare them to succeed in junior high and high school.

“This also begins a new system of straight feeder patterns wherein students from Salem and the surrounding areas will attend school with the same group of students starting here at Valley View Middle School, then Salem Junior High and ultimately Salem Hills High School.

“We also want to thank our parents and patrons for passing a bond in 2018 that allowed us to build this middle school,” Mr. Ainge said. “This beautiful new school will be a great addition and a wonderful benefit to this community.”

School Board President, Rick Ainge, directed the official ribbon cutting that included students and dignitaries from Nebo School District, Salem, Woodland Hills and Elk Ridge cities.

Parents and students were then welcomed into the Valley View Middle. The school is located at 1044 East 340 South, Salem, Utah. It sits 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. 

Nebo School District welcomes all students to the new Valley View Middle under the direction of Principal David Knudsen, Assistant Principal Lori Cunningham, Dean of Students Saia Naulu, including amazing teachers and staff. 
                                        
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