By Julie Slama|[email protected]

Thato, a second grader at Aspen Elementary, had just found his classroom and met his teacher. 

“He’s excited and loves the school,” his father, John Cheresh said. “How often do you get to go to school in a brand-new school? This is top-notch.” 

Aspen Elementary opened to students Aug. 17, the night before was its first-ever Back to School Night. After entering under a banner with the school’s name and an archway of balloons, Principal Suzie Williams greeted and directed students and their parents. 

Families explored the multi-purpose room with a stage and basketball standards, the library with a pencil as its focal point, the art room, two collaborative learning spaces, a holistic wellness room, a STEM room and classrooms. Students found their desks in their classrooms and met their teachers and parents could sign up to join the PTA. Some students even took part in a scavenger hunt to familiarize themselves with the new school.

Ground was broken for Aspen Elementary March 11, 2020, just before the outbreak of COVID-19 in Utah. Designed by VCBO Architecture and built by Hughes General Contractor, the $18.5 million school at 11189 South Willow Walk Dr. has most of its student body from the neighborhood and from Bastian Elementary community, which will ease the number of students enrolled there. 

Thato’s family had moved to the neighborhood one year ago and each day, watched the school being built. When asphalt, playgrounds and grass were added two months ago, he and his dad tried out the baseball field.

“I wasn’t sure it would get finished, but it did,” Cheresh said. “It’s fantastic, beautiful, and it even smells new. The whole school is just gorgeous.”

An official ribbon cutting and dedication date has yet to be announced.