District breaks ground for new Barbara C. Jordan School on September 9
November 23, 2009
With shovels in hand and hard hats on their heads, local community officials and dignitaries helped the School District of University City’s administration and school board during the official ground breaking ceremony for the new Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School on September 9. The bittersweet ceremony included alumni, staff and parent memories of the old facility along with their hopes and expectations of what the new facility will offer the students of the future.
“This is an exciting time for the School District of University City and the greater community,” said Joylynn Wilson, superintendent of schools and former Barbara C. Jordan principal. “Our students are deserving of the positive impact the two new schools will provide for them academically in terms of technology, green sustainability, natural lighting, accessibility and curricular support.”
Other guest speakers included Tom Peters, University City Board of Education president; Bonita Jamison, current principal; Betty Thompson, former Missouri State Representative; Hazel Erby, St. Louis County council member; Mayor Joseph Adams; Arthur Sharpe, University City council member; along with PTO President Kim Jones and her second grade son, Jordan.
“This ground breaking brought out deep feelings for me,” said Erby. “My history with this school, dates back to the early ‘70s when we transferred our first child into Daniel Boone, then years as PTO president and even more recent as the site facilitator for Caring Communities.”
Once the official ceremony was completed, and informal tour of the demolition in process lead visitors to the back side of the school’s facade to see the work in progress. Spectators’ reactions ranged from surprise and awe to tears.
“This school has seen many generations over the years,” Erby added. “It’s fantastic that even in this economy, voters have put their faith in us and believe in our children enough to want to provide them with a learning environment that will have all the technology and resources needed... where they can be proud of where they go to school.”
Other community members in attendance to witness the event included current school board members, former school board members, the police chief, members and chairs of the District’s Community Engagement and Bond Issue committees as well as school administrators, faculty, alumni, parents, students, prospective students and neighbors.
While completion of the building is scheduled for early 2011, the students are not expected to return to the site until the beginning of school in August 2011. The official ceremonial shovel will be engraved and archived with the school’s keepsake treasures.
