Williston welcomes students to new elementary school

WILLISTON, N.D. (KMOT) - Some elementary students in Williston are kicking off the new year in a brand-new school.

New things always bring excitement, even schools. Just ask eight-year-old Kayne.

“Just how big this school, compared to my other school,” said Kayne.

Kayne is a third grader at Sloulin Elementary School, the newest addition to the Williston school district.

Paxson is another student at the new school looking forward to seeing kids his age.

“Seeing different people and making new friends,” said Paxson.

The new space is also bringing new learning opportunities.

“That there’s actually STEAM, and I never had STEAM,” said Paxson.

Autumn Howard is a paraprofessional teaching hands-on projects relating to science, technology, engineering, art, and math, also known as STEAM.

“They will be coming in here once a week for 50 minutes,” said Howard.

She said the school has a few differences compared to others across the district.

“We have the cafeteria and the gym separated, which some schools do not have,” said Howard.

Aside from new faces and equipment, the school has ties to area history.

“This used to be the airport and it was called the Sloulin International Airport,” said Assistant Principal Susan LaBar.

LaBar said they named it after the airport and the Sloulin brothers who served in World War II.

“We got lots of pictures and things like that of the family to put up on our wall,” said LaBar.

Their school mascot is the Aviators, also tying into history.

LaBar said they will be adding an interactive exhibit for students and community members to learn more about the Sloulin brothers.