Students get into school’s spirit

Brightly colored backpacks stood out in a crowd of students garbed in black and white at Jerry and Charlotte Keller Elementary School Monday, the first day of classes in the Clark County School District.

At the request of school namesake and former Sheriff Jerry Keller, whose wife, Charlotte, taught special education for 20 years, the campus mascot is the zebra.

"Zebra" also happens to be police code for the SWAT team, although some parents and students were under the impression that the mascot was chosen in honor of Marty, the adventure-seeking zebra in the animated film "Madagascar."

Whatever the motivation, students chose their clothes to represent the striped member of the horse family. Clark County School Board member Sheila Moulton noted as much in her remarks before cutting the ribbon to open the school at 5445 Cedar Ave., near Bonanza Road and Nellis Boulevard.

"Everywhere we look is that wonderful black and white," Moulton said.

The first day of school came and went without incident Monday as the district's 353 schools welcomed more than 310,000 or so students. The official enrollment count will not be taken until September.

Keller, who was sheriff from 1995 to 2003, promised to stay involved "without interfering" at the new elementary school. He donated his collection of zebra toys and figures, which are on display in the lobby.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department also donated clothing and 800 backpacks to students at Keller Elementary School.

Superintendent Walt Rulffes made back-to-school stops at two older schools Monday: J.D. Smith Middle School, 1301 E. Tonopah Ave., which opened in 1952, and Valley High School, 2839 S. Burnham Ave., which opened in 1965.

Valley is undergoing a $46 million modernization project that will be completed in 2011. The school will get new carpeting, sky tunnels to provide natural lighting for classrooms and electrical upgrades.

Students at Valley asked Rulffes about the district's financial situation. The district has budgeted for $120 million in program cuts this year.

"Our hope is that we don't have any more (budget cuts)," Rulffes responded. "You probably know our economy is not doing well. If you have any relatives who don't live here, ask them to visit and stay in the hotels. Taxes on the rooms go toward the expenses we pay."

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal.com or 702-374-7917.