GREENFIELD — With excitement in the air, in typical Greenfield fashion, strong winds greeted attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new elementary school to be built on Apple Avenue. The event was hosted by the Greenfield Union School District on June 1.
The school, yet to be named, is scheduled to open its doors fall 2018.
Board members, school district staff, local leaders and community members attempted to take refuge under the tent where the event was held, but to no avail. Gusts of wind and dirt managed to make their way in. Yet, no one seemed to mind. The desire to stay and hear firsthand the latest details of the building of the new school was stronger.
Superintendent Kimberly Berman opened the ceremony, followed by other speakers. Berman stated that she was “grateful for the amazing gift given,” calling the new school a “state-of-the-art facility to continue excellent learning.” She was happy to report that the project was ahead of schedule.
David Peartree, of the Belli Architectural Group, told the audience that the new school’s design, adapted from the Cesar Chavez School, which the firm developed, allowed for “faster approval” of the project.
Student speaker Jacob Velasco, a Mary Chapa Academy fourth grader who was described by Berman as having a “thirst for learning,” will attend the new school. Velasco is interested in sports and playing the trumpet and wants to be a firefighter.
“It’s great to know that Greenfield has a new school to look forward to, (which) will make us even more successful,” Velasco said.
One of the trustees present at the ceremony was Board President Mayra Perez-Diaz. Perez-Diaz was happy that the school district was meeting the needs of the community. She said, “I want what is in the best interest of our students.”
“The middle school is busting at the seams. We need better educational experiences for our students and better assets for our community,” Perez-Diaz said.
Greenfield Mayor Jesus OlveraGarcia, also one of the attendees, was thankful to the Greenfield community for “the yes on the measures” C and D for passage of the bonds to build the school.
“I am very excited about the well being of families and children,” OlveraGarcia said. “I look forward to continuing to work together with the school district to accomplish more things.”
