It's The Spirit Of The Thing -- Issaquah District's New High School Works To Shape Its Own Culture

ISSAQUAH - Dancing cheerleaders, lip-synching teachers, an American Gladiator-style joust between students on an inflated rubber mat and a talk about doing your best kicked off the first day of school today at Issaquah's new Skyline High School.

It was the culmination of almost a year of planning. Long before the last brick was mortared into place at Skyline this summer, the school's future students and faculty members were forming the emotional glue that would give Skyline a culture all its own.

As classes started at the new Sammamish Plateau high school today, it opened with a student government, a drill team, a mascot, school colors and even a first trophy in the trophy case, won by the cheerleading squad over the summer.

The hourlong assembly in the new gym, held in the first hour of the first school day, was designed to bring students and teachers together for a dose of school spirit.

Principal Judy Peterson gave an impassioned speech about doing good work in school every day, and from there the assembly evolved into a series of dancing, strutting, feel-good acts centering on school pride. It ended with an appearance by the Sonics' hairy mascot, Squatch, who dunked a few basketballs into the brand-new goals.

As students were disgorged into the commons area, they began hunting down classes in the three-story building. "Everybody's lost, teachers included," said teacher Cindy Brown as she directed students down the corridors.

"I'm excited, but kind of nervous," confessed Bailey Whipple, 14, a ninth-grader, as she headed for her first class.

Skyline's sophomore and junior classes are coming from 90-year-old Issaquah High, and for many it was a hard break to make. Not only were they parting from close friends and favorite teachers, they had to let go of the long-held traditions of one of the Eastside's oldest schools.

"A lot of kids didn't want to be separated," said Andrew Myers, junior-class president who dressed up as a Spartan, the school's mascot, for the assembly. "More people wanted to stay."

"People are really scared about leaving friends behind at Issaquah," said Kristopher McGuire, president of the Associated Student Body.

Because of the phenomenal growth rate in the Issaquah area, these students already have been split up several times as classes were divided to fill two new elementary schools, then a new middle school and now a new high school.

Two-thirds of the Skyline student body comes from Issaquah High. Students in the Skyline attendance area who would have been seniors will finish their year at the old school. Skyline also draws from Beaver Lake and Pine Lake middle schools.

"Kids are conservative," said Principal Judy Peterson. "It's hard for them to let go. They didn't want to become vulnerable, to take risks."

Somehow, the students had to create a sense of that elusive thing called school spirit long before school started. For months, a student core team gathered to talk about how to make the new building their own, says substitute teacher Susan Ishmael.

"We had discussions about visions, culture and how we separate from Issaquah High," she said. "The kids were very enthusiastic and mature, knowing they had a unique opportunity to start something new."

Students were allowed to pick their own mascot and school colors: They will be the Spartans, wearing colors of forest green, silver and white. Many of the sports teams have been chosen, and clubs have been established.

Students were passionate about creating a large student government so that it could be truly representative. The Associated Student Body will have about 120 members, many of whom were picked last fall in a special Issaquah High election. Explained McGuire, its president: "We wanted the entire student council to be a lot more open. It's pretty cliquish at most schools."

What will Skyline's personality be? Teachers and students say academics will be heavily emphasized. Skyline hopes to become the first Issaquah school to offer the academically rigorous International Baccalaureate program, and in a year, Peterson wants to apply for a Blue Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education, an annual award that recognizes excellent schools.

"In our American high schools, we do not expect enough of our kids," Peterson said. "We want students working seriously and accomplishing a high level of work. We will have time for sports and rallies, but there will be high expectations for kids."

"A lot of change is going on in education anyway, and we think we'll become a model for that," added parent Jim Berry, who served on the school's parent core team. Peterson says she's studied the test scores of Skyline's new students and thinks they already have the ability to do excellent work.

"We are serving well-educated, affluent families," she said. "There will be heavy parent involvement, and that parent involvement will send a message to kids that education is important."

If students feel any disappointment over the $43 million facility, it's that the football field won't be ready until next year. The rainy spring weather slowed construction, and most of the landscaping and some interior finish work is not compete.

And with no seniors this year, the sports teams are likely to be the underdogs.

Katherine Long's phone message number is 206-515-5631. Her e-mail address is: klon-new@seatimes.com