By Holly Bowen, Daily News staff writer
September 3, 2009
 Geoff Crimmins/Daily News
(Above) Kindergarten teacher Jeneille Branen welcomes students to her class on the first day of school Wednesday at Palouse Prairie School in Moscow. (Below) A sign welcomes students and parents.
Most students returning to school in Moscow on Wednesday were met by familiar teachers, classrooms and friends.
But students at Palouse Prairie School of Expeditionary Learning were beginning an entirely new adventure.
About 70 children and their excited, sometimes teary-eyed parents converged on the former Brown's Furniture building at the corner of Lauder Avenue and South Main Street to begin the first day of classes at the public charter school, which officially opened this week.
"I'm incredibly excited," said Summer Clayton, the school's director. "It feels like a long time coming, but at the same time, it feels so right.
"It feels like we've been here forever. That's just how comfortable the parents and the kids and the teachers just seem."
Clayton said she was worried about traffic at the busy intersection where the school is located and hoped there were enough adults on duty to supervise the children.
She said the morning went "better than I could have anticipated."
"It went so smoothly, and things went really, really well, and it just kind of helped put to rest some of my concerns," she said.
Wednesday also was a new experience for parents Holly and Terry Jess. Their 7-year-old son, Taylor, was home-schooled last year but came to Palouse Prairie School for the second grade.
"He likes the group setting more than just doing individual work," Holly said, holding back tears after Taylor went to his classroom.
The couple said they became interested in the school after driving by and realizing they wanted more than a public school - "a new approach," as Terry put it.
"We just think it's (exciting) to have such a hands-on approach to education," he said.
Nils Peterson is chairman of Palouse Prairie School's board and was outside the building Wednesday morning helping students and parents safely navigate the intersection.
He said it will take about four to six weeks to determine how well the school is handling its new responsibilities, "when things have gotten up and going."
The school board also will have new responsibilities as the year goes on.
Peterson said the board is transitioning from its role of establishing the school to its new role of governing, and members will meet next week to begin planning what happens next.
Students currently have a paved, fenced-in area to spend recess, but Peterson said the school is going to add another area for outdoor time.
"In back of the building is an area with trees that we haven't gotten fenced yet, and that will provide more of a nature spot for kids," he said.
As students waved goodbye to their parents Wednesday morning, Clayton told them, "Treat this school as if it were your most valuable possession."
"I hope that the parents and community stay as involved as they have been these past two months," Clayton said.
Holly Bowen can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 239, or by e-mail at
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