Building Starts with Demolition

Earthmoving equipment roared, crashing loads of asphalt and roots into idling dump trucks. Our construction project began with fencing off, tearing down, and pulling out the old, in preparation for what’s to come. It’s fitting that demolition began in December just before a big rain storm.
I’m thankful that we were able to hold a 6th grade promotion and a motivational assembly under the shade of the huge pine and pepper trees. All of the students said “good bye” to the soccer field and trees, knowing that progress would provide a much better learning environment than the portable classrooms currently in use.
More trees will be planted to replace the ones that had to be removed. Sixty five apple trees, each one a different variety, will form a new orchard in the middle of the buildings. Large shade trees will be planted on the south side of the buildings as well.
While we will miss the soccer field, we will still have a baseball-sized field in the corner, The existing “upper field” will be enlarged when the “bus turn-around” is eliminated. We are also going to change a portion of the fencing in the community garden to enlarge the shaded area of the playground.
The new buildings will be beautiful. They represent the trust that the community has in us as a school to educate and care for the children. Funded by Measure B, a voter-approved property tax, the building is paid for by all of us who live in the community. The funds cannot be diverted to pay for anything else other than construction. So, “Thanks!” to you, for helping us break ground on the Emerson addition!