Schools

Ginormous Scissors Officially Open Japhet School

Dignitaries gather for ribbon-cutting ceremony as Japhet School celebrates 40 years and a home of its own.

Japhet School made its relocation to Clawson official Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony using the biggest pair of scissors the students had ever seen.

Dignitaries on hand included Clawson Mayor Penny Luebs, representatives of the Chambers of Commerce in Clawson and Royal Oak, and architect Steve Pariseau, who oversaw renovations at the school.

Head of School Cathy Mohan and board president Julie Knaffla shared remarks, and students gleefully watched as Mohan and Knaffla "cut" the ribbon with the oversized scissors.

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"Japhet School is celebrating 40 years and we are very excited to have our own building – a home of our own," Mohan said. She then  shared the timeline from the purchase date to the first first day of school. She included her gratitude for Shelter Design, Keating Construction, and Julie Knaffla.  

After the ribbon-cutting, music teacher Lynn Koch led students in singing the song "Jambo," or "Hello," in several languages. Upper class students accompanied the song on ukuleles and percussion.

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Earlier in the month, Japhet School students and staff dedicated the school's peace pole, which declares "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in eight languages. It stands at the front entrance of the school.

"I am so grateful to the trustees, donors, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and many friends of the school for supporting this journey," Mohan said.

Guests were invited to tour the building after the ribbon-cutting.

Anyone interested in visiting Japhet School for an admissions tour or simply to learn more may call (248) 585-9150 or go to www.japhetschool.org.


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