Students at Edison Elementary are starting the final quarter of the school year in a brand-new building — the district’s first new school in more than 25 years.
The $34 million project opened on time and under budget, giving students long-awaited upgrades such as air conditioning, an elevator and modern classrooms. The new building sits beside the original Edison Elementary, the oldest school in the district, which is scheduled to be demolished.
For months, students watched construction unfold just outside their windows. Today, they finally will step inside for the remainder of the school year.
“It will be like a first day in the middle of the year,” Principal Diane Sutton said. “I have been around long enough to know that it won’t be without its kinks. We have been so blessed by the parents and their grace and their patience with us as we’ve been shifting procedures, and that won’t end tomorrow.”
Kindergarten teacher Sara Ulrich said seeing her students react to the new space was unforgettable.
“They’re so excited,” Ulrich said. “When they walked in the door, just their oohs and ahhs — amazing. You can’t take that away. I’ll never unhear that. Their expressions really said everything that we’ve been waiting for.”
School leaders say the rest of the year will involve adjusting to new routines, with a more permanent plan expected for next fall. For now, the focus is helping students and families settle into the new environment and get comfortable with updated procedures.
Related: See our earlier story on how staff got the new Edison Elementary ready for students.