It took a commitment by the administration, board of education members and, most importantly, the public to turn an abandoned and dilapidated school building into a community asset. But that's exactly what happened in Mineola and on Wednesday, the community's commitment becomes a reality as pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students will occupy their new school at Willis Avenue for the first time.

Hanging above the entrance to the school on the Jackson Avenue side where some parents will drop their children off is a sign that reads "Welcome Class of 2016/2017" to signify the members of the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes, many of whom will be starting their academic lives at the new school.

Superintendent of Schools for the Mineola School District Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli told students during an orientation in the new school that the banner will stay with the students throughout their academic career until they graduate. The banner is perhaps a symbol of the new school as educators and parents hope the positive experience students will hopefully realize there will also stay with them throughout their lives.

Dr. Licopoli has been associated with the opening of four new schools, including Willis, in his career as an educator. He is fully aware of the hard work involved in opening a new school. But the hard work may be worth it. A week before the start of the school year, Dr. Licopoli expressed his satisfaction with the school.

The superintendent credited the district's custodial staff and the cleanup staff from the construction team for getting the school ready to open on time. "This project went along right to the schedule we tried to stick by. I think our community is going to be very proud," he said.

Opening a new school is a special event for a school district and opening the Willis Avenue School is as special as it gets for the Mineola School District.

As an early childhood center, the focus in the school can be solely on the education of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. Dr. Licopoli said with the early childhood center at the Willis Avenue School, the district has a "direct commitment to developing and shaping a children's educational experience here in Mineola. That doesn't happen very often."

Having a school in which all of the district's pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are together could prove to be beneficial for the district.

Mrs. Wolfe, who taught elementary education at the Meadow and Cross Street Schools but will now teach kindergarten at the Willis Avenue School views having all the early childhood students in the same school as a positive. "I think it's going to be a great experience for the kids. I think it's going to be a great start for their education. Everything will focus on early childhood, allowing them to grow in an atmosphere and environment they're comfortable in without having any pressures of older children," she said.

Another benefit to the new school is that for many new children coming into the district, their first experience will be in a brand new school. First impressions could be powerful ones and the first impression of a school environment for many Mineola children will now be in the bright halls and classrooms of a new building. "The halls and classrooms of the school are designed for 4-, 5- and 6-year olds. Our curriculum, instructional and assessment program are developmentally designed for children in those ages. This is a wonderful opportunity," Dr. Licopoli said.

The first impression of the school by parents of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students who came on the buses with their children to the school for orientation last Tuesday and Wednesday was positive as the school received rave reviews.

"It's absolutely beautiful. I think they did a great job. I think it was well-planned and well-thought-out," said pre-kindergarten parent Jennifer Morelli, who was impressed with the color coordinated hallways and the outdoor playground that is surrounded by the building and safe from traffic.

"I think it's beautiful. I think they put a lot of thought into the building and made it geared toward early childhood," said pre-kindergarten parent Felicina Cabrera.

Parent Mary Ellen Steinmann loved the fact that the building was air conditioned and used words like safe and comfortable while parent Alicia Sullivan described the school as bright and cheery.

Accompanying the new school is a new full-day kindergarten program. In conducting a study into whether it is feasible to have a full-day kindergarten program in Mineola, research shows that children benefit from being in kindergarten full-time.

Kindergarten parent Maureen Guy moved to the district around the time the bond referendum was passed in 2000. Mrs. Guy is thrilled that her daughter gets to help break in the new school and Mineola now has a full-day kindergarten program. "I know that they have it in other school districts and I feel that I'm not missing out on anything now. I'm very happy," she said.

As parents were encouraged to do for the orientation, Toni Dalton was with her daughter Taylor last Wednesday from the bus stop, then on the bus and then into the new school. "The buses were wonderful. They picked up right on time," she said.

Mrs. Dalton said she is a little nervous about her daughter going to school. She is not alone as children going to school for the first time can be an anxious moment for many parents, but they can be assured that the district has been working toward providing a safe environment for the children.

The administrator for the new school, early childhood education director Deborah Shaw, has been working numerous hours at the new school in preparation for its opening on Wednesday. "It's very busy and very exciting," she said. "The parents seem to be very pleased with the school. They're happy with all the thought we've put into the procedures that we're going to be following. I think we tried to make sure we have every piece in place so that when the teachers come, they can focus on the children and the parents can feel comfortable that we're taking care of their children, that we're going to be working all year to make things even better."

What advice would Mrs. Shaw give to parents whose children are beginning school for the first time? "I would ask them to take some time to be positive with their children and really help prepare them so that they know what to expect when they come and let them get a good night's sleep."