Harold Ingram already warned them he needed energy.
"Mau-rice?" the Glasgow principal yelled into his mic.
"Pritchett!" a crowd of hundreds spread before him screamed back. Ingram tested their energy a few more times. Families, educators and state leaders alike flooded an intersection in the heart of Eastside Wilmington, half-shaded by a towering façade unlike any of its neighbors.
A near-twinkling, two-story school building blocked that late-August sun. The first new school for Wilmington in 50 years, with colossal blue letters just over the speaker's head, also carried the name of a veteran city educator from the same streets: Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy .
The product of community sweat, political championing and some $84 million in state funding, the school finally opened its doors to the public on Aug. 23. A ribbon-cutting and block party took over bordering streets, as educators prepare to welcome students from grades first through eighth in under a week.
"We want this to be more than just the recognition," Ingram said, kicking off the Friday afternoon festivities. "We want this to be an absolute celebration because it's deserved. It's well-deserved here in the city of Wilmington. It's well deserved to be named after Maurice Pritchett Sr. – and it's well deserved for the students."
That celebration came. Hundreds listened to remarks by state leadership, from Gov. John Carney and Secretary of Education Mark Holodick, from U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, various state lawmakers and more.
Christina's Deputy Superintendent Deirdra Joyner was named interim principal of Pritchett Academy, a meaningful post for the educator who grew up in the same neighborhood, while a search continues. Now-interim Superintendent Robert Andrzejewski, hired amid some continued controversy for the school board, also addressed the crowd. His license is now " pending renewal ," according to DDOE.
Other children and families packed the block party with bounce houses, resource tables and free food, whenever they weren't taking some first steps down shiny hallways.
But, another theme poked between keynote speakers and jovial attendance: results.
"I think those would be his words to us today: Not to be satisfied, with his name being on the building and this new building," said Ernest “Trippi” Congo II, Wilmington City Council president, of the late Maurice Pritchett.
The school's now-namesake died last spring at 80 years old, after 40 years in Delaware education and more than 30 as the principal of Bancroft. That old Bancroft School across the street has closed its doors, with most of the staff transferring to this new location.
"I know he's smiling down on us right now, but he would in no way be satisfied."
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Robiesha Teat, with her daughter Harmony Bolden in tow, walked into a spacious Pritchett Academy foyer awash with natural light.
Lofty windows against the main staircase look out onto an enclosed playground, cradled by each side of the new school. A historic tribute wall to Pritchett, with photos and information, lines a bend in the hallway between the cafeteria and the auditorium's entrance. Farther still there are classrooms, a dance room, a large gymnasium and much more.
"This building is awesome," the mom of a rising second-grader said. "They did an amazing job. ... I can see her growing here."
The school was built to serve about 600 students up to eighth grade, on a campus bordered by East Sixth and Eighth streets, and Lombard and Spruce streets. But Maycheko Carter took notice of something smaller than the gym or massive outdoor space.
"I really liked those bathrooms. Drama-free," said the nearby day care provider, soon to send future Lions to Pritchett Academy. Carter was noting the various bathroom stations in the school that are just a series of small, individual rooms, similar to a family or gender-neutral bathroom one may find in public spaces. She believes it will help keep them safe places.
"This is a new environment for most of the kids in this area," Carter continued, adding she was proud to see the new school. "This being a state-of-the-art building will make kids want to learn more."
Another item hoped to fill the other glossy rooms will be more assistance and progress for city families.
Wilmington Learning Collaborative's Executive Director Laura Burgos, among others, said as much addressing the Christina School District crowd. Exiting an extended planning year, Burgos' team is gearing up to provide "immediate support" for the district's city schools, as redistricting plans remain on the drawing board.
"The opening of school doors is just a first step in a much larger narrative around how we foster innovation, fueled by a belief that all children can be successful," Burgos said. The next WLC council meeting is Sept. 17 .
Pritchett, seemingly every speaker noted, would agree.
The community giant served as a principal, family advocate and more for over 30 years in the same elementary hallways he once walked. Then, he worked for the district, served as an ambassador for Delaware State University and continued to volunteer in community programs. The Wilmington native is remembered across the state and, of course, by his college sweetheart and wife, Juanita, who spoke to the crowd Friday in all Kappa Alpha Psi red.
"Nothing happens unless there's the love," Juanita Pritchett said. She told the crowd the city's youngest students need to receive just that each time they walk into this new building. And she knows what it looks like.
"Maurice had that love – and his staff and the community and the many parents. These children, as they leave, will heal the world because of the love given to them here."
Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 'Not to be satisfied': First new school in 50 years sparks joy, optimism in Wilmington
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