GREEN BAY – The New Westside School Naming Committee has narrowed down the names to be considered for Green Bay’s new school — to three.
“We made a very deliberate effort, and I think a very successful effort, to get a good cross-section of our district or community, age groups, perspective, and we challenged each other in all the right ways so that what the product that you see is the end state of a very deliberate process to come up with what we consider to be three names that are very appropriate for consideration for the board for the selection for the New West Side Elementary School,” said outgoing Green Bay Area Public Schools (GBAPS) Board/Naming Committee Member Crosson said.
“The name had to retain significance — if it meant something today, will it mean the same thing 50 years from now?
“And then we did research; we did research on all of the names that we considered.
“The three names that you see here is just the end state. There were probably over 20 names that we beat around.”
The following names, and variations, were presented by the committee:
Bart Starr Elementary School
“Naming the new west side elementary school after Bart Starr would not only honor a Green Bay Packers icon known for his character and leadership on and off the field, but would set an exemplary standard of excellence for the school and its students to emulate,” the committee reported.
“Bart Starr was the Green Bay Packers quarterback who led the team to five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. Starr was praised for his leadership qualities and exemplary character, both as a player and a person. Starr maintained ties to Green Bay after his playing days, co-founding Rawhide Youth Services, a program that supports at-risk and troubled youth.
“The name Bart Starr would provide inspiration to students, staff, and the community. Similar in reasoning to nearby Vince Lombardi Middle School, Bart Starr Elementary School would immediately evoke a sense of school spirit, achievement, consistency, leadership, and pride.”
Bright Horizons
“Naming a school ‘Bright Horizons’ carries a positive, forward-looking connotation that aligns with several key values associated with education and the development of students. Bright Horizons symbolizes a future full of promise and opportunity. It conveys the idea that education opens up a world of potential for students, helping them to reach for the best possible future. A ‘bright horizon’ evokes the idea of something beautiful and achievable in the distance, which can inspire both students and educators,” the committee reported.
“The goal of education, particularly with a focus on student agency, is to empower students to take control of their learning and become active participants in their educational journeys. This shift is in response to the evolving needs of the modern world, which is characterized by rapid technological advancements, global interconnectedness, and a constantly changing job market.
“Bright Horizons captures a spirit of potential and as the school begins their journey into Portrait of a Graduate, student agency and belief in themselves is the core behind the five areas of: academic achievers, communicators and connectors, personal architects, leaders and teammates, and empowered navigators. It’s within the district vision of Portrait of a Graduate to unlock this potential.”
Creekside Elementary
“Beaver Dam Creek runs through the new elementary school's property,” the committee stated.
“Beaver Dam Creek is a small, shallow stream originating by Southwest High School and meanders its way north four miles to eventually drain into the Duck Creek near Velp Avenue. The stream is very flashy and carries a considerable sediment load. Substrate is made up of gravel, cobble and some soft sediments. It is located in the Duck Creek watershed.
“Beaver Dam Creek runs alongside the school grounds. However, there is a Beaver Dam Park down the road so shortening the name to Creekside keeps from causing any confusion.”
Committee members included Crosson, Director of Schools Jessica Malcore, MacArthur Teacher Marie Nicol, Green Bay District 11 Alder Melinda Eck, Kennedy Parent Brittany Ortiz, MacArthur Parent Kari Knitt, Kennedy Second Grade Student Eligio Marinez and brother Giovani Vazquez and MacArthur Third Grade Student Issac Yang and mother Sarah Yang.
The names were presented at the April 14 GBAPS Work Session for discussion only.
During discussion, many board members expressed their support of the Bart Starr name.
The board will vote on the name during an upcoming meeting.
The construction for the New Westside Elementary School will begin in the upcoming weeks.
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