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Magna • The closing verse of the fight song evokes a sense of history and tradition, even though the halls of Elk Run Elementary still boast that "new-school smell."

"We are the Elk, the Mighty Elk. Forever loyal and true."

The school choir sang those words as part of Elk Run's open house, 3550 S. Helen Drive (8575 West), introducing parents of some of the 688 students to the new facility, teachers and staff earlier this month.

"I think it's a beautiful building," said Sonja Dial, whose three oldest children — fifth-grader Keegan, third-grader Hanna and first-grader Lyndzee — previously attended Magna Elementary. "They made it come together quicker than I thought it was going to. I walked in the first day of school and I was really impressed with … how nice it looked."

The staff of 30 educators, including 25 teachers, put in long hours preparing their classrooms for the first day of school. The doors opened Aug. 15 and school started one week later.

The construction's completion was touch-and-go right up to the deadline, but everything inside the building was finished before students arrived.

The school grounds are still a few weeks from completion. A soccer field and two softball fields were nearly done, and the installation of playground equipment was scheduled to follow. Students were able to play basketball, tetherball and foursquare during recess as the rest of the grounds were being finished.

"I've been really impressed with the students. They've been really patient," said principal Jon Adams, who joined the school after serving as principal at Taylorsville Elementary. "We have managed it really well, and our teachers have been awesome."

Elk Run's enrollment consists primarily of students from four other elementary schools in the Cyprus High network — Copper Hills, Lake Ridge, Magna and Pleasant Green.

Dial said her children expressed trepidation about switching schools, but now they come home excited about school.

"They were real nervous about some of their friends not coming and nervous about making new friends, but it's all worked out really well," Dial said.

Adams said the excitement surrounding the school's opening has been evident in the reaction of students and parents.

"I think it unites the community," Adams said. "We have a lot of volunteers helping out to ensure success for the students."

Among the new school's bells and whistles are two large instruction rooms, with theater seating that can hold approximately 80 people and will host choir and band rehearsals, and teacher planning rooms conveniently located near classrooms.

There are also hand-washing stations in the hallways that shoot a dozen or so streams of water into a semicircular stainless-steel basin and were perhaps the most popular attraction for students giving their parents a tour.

Fourth-grade teacher Leah Wright, who joined Elk Run after teaching at Copper Hills, said the challenges involved in starting a school from scratch also have proven to be unique opportunities.

"There are things at schools where, you know, the rules are already established and systems are in place, and we're starting new," Wright said. "But the good thing about that is you have input. In an established school, you come in and deal with whatever they have. It's been really fun to have that input and shape the way the school is." Elk Run opens

Nearly 700 students began classes at newly constructed Elk Run Elementary in Magna late last month.

The school drew students from four surrounding elementary schools and is part of the Cyprus High network.

Principal Jon Adams said the school "unites the community" and the teachers and staff make efforts to promote and reward positive behavior and attitudes.