The assignment for Wednesday: Come to school prepared to dig.

Parents, students and staff showed up with shovels and trowels to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new multi-purpose building at Cottonwood Valley Charter School.

For the students without shovels, there were spoons and sporks, passed out by teacher's aide Laurie Ware.

"Afterward, we'll recycle them," said Ware, who never misses an opportunity to teach responsible citizenship.

Frances Deters, president of the school's governing council, opened the proceedings with thanks for all the people who had made this big step forward possible, including former county commissioner Dennis Harris, governing council vice president Jeanne Gacanich, architect Kent Beierle from Environmental Dynamics Inc, and Al Jansen from Janstar Builders Inc.

On hand to show support for the project were Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker, City Councilor Donald Monette, school board member James Chavez, and Associate Superintendent Vanetta Perry.

Also on hand were dozens of other dignitaries, friends and supporters of the charter school, which will begin its 10th year in operation next fall. After the ceremonial ground-breaking, the festivities continued with a potluck picnic.

At the commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 27, the school graduated their first student to have attended every level from kindergarten through eighth grade, Ariel Dillon.

The Annual Governing Council Scholarship — given to the graduating eighth-grader who best exemplifies the school's fundamental values of citizenship, scholarship and generosity of spirit — was awarded to Sarah Frail.

Contact Suzanne Barteau