Family and friends of Herbert
Ibarra dedicate new school
October 2005
Herbert Ibarra (1923-1993) was the first
Latino principal in the school district. Herbert Ibarra's wife,
Lila Ibarra, and son, Drew Ibarra, helped cut the ribbon at the new
school dedication ceremony.
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Deputy
Mayor, Superintendent and Board President cut ribbon at Cherokee Point
October 2005
Students
at Cherokee Point Elementary dedicated their brand-new school and were
joined by Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins, Board President Luis Acle, and Superintendent Dr. Carl Cohn.
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Johnson and
Encanto elementary schools dedicate new libraries
September 2005
Students
at two southeast San Diego schools dedicated their new Proposition MM
libraries. Parents and neighbors joined the festivities as students cut
the ribbon and gave tours.
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Community
breaks ground on Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary
July 2005
Construction has begun on Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary. The new
school, named for the Olympic track champion, will help reduce
overcrowding in City Heights schools. Family members and friends of
Florence Griffith Joyner joined the event.
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Ground is
broken on Normal Heights Elementary
June 2005
Students
from Franklin Elementary helped shovel the first scoop of dirt to make
way for the new Normal Heights Elementary. The new school will help
relieve crowding in neighborhood schools.
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Rolando
Park, La Jolla and Jones open new libraries
June 2005
At Rolando
Park Elementary, a large crowd of parents, neighbors and staff gathered
to cut the official red ribbon and tour the library.
At La
Jolla Elementary, students
dedicated the Mark Wallner Library, named in memory of the
son of a local resident. Additional
funds were raised by community members to help pay for extra features
including an outdoor "verb garden" and cozy furniture.
Jones
Elementary welcomed a keynote speaker, James Quinones from Channel 10.
The weathercaster, also a Jones parent, talked about pride and
revitalization in the Serra Mesa community.
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Students
dance at Perry Elementary library dedication
June 2005
Students at Perry Elementary performed a dance routine to the song
"Four Books a Day" as they celebrated the grand opening of their new
library.
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Roosevelt
Junior High jazz band celebrates library reopening
May 2005
Jazz music filled the
newly renovated library at Roosevelt Junior High. The Teddy Bear Blues
jazz band performed tunes while parents and community members enjoyed
the library's new look.
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Spring
ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Cubberley, Hawthorne and Wangenheim
April-May 2005
Spring is in the air as schools dedicate
their brand-new Proposition MM facilities. Cubberley Elementary and
Hawthorne Elementary schools officially opened their new libraries,
while Wangenheim Middle re-opened its remodeled science classrooms. At
right, Board Member Mitz Lee helps cut the ceremonial ribbon.
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New
classroom building opens at
McKinley
Elementary
April 2005
Students at McKinley
Elementary celebrated the grand opening of their new, two-story
classroom building. Proposition MM work at the school also included a
new lunch court shelter, ramps to improve disabled access, technology,
classroom and portable renovations, carpeting, painting, landscaping
and restroom upgrades.
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Benchley-Weinberger
Elementary dedicates new library and Tile Wall
March 2005
At Benchley-Weinberger
Elementary in San Carlos, students and parents gathered for a school
spirit assembly to open the new library and unveil the Tile Wall, which
helped raise funds for air conditioning. Students sang songs they
wrote, including "Welcome to the New Library," sung to the tune of "On
Top of Old Smokey."
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Marshall
Elementary celebrates dedication ceremony despite rain
March 2005
Marshall
Elementary dedicated its new library and classroom building.
Because of rain, the ceremony was moved inside the library where a
small group of student readers presented their essays to Board Member
Shelia Jackson. The students also made posters and cards to thank their
Partner in Education, the US Navy's HSL 47.
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Schools
celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday by opening new libraries
March 2005
Adams Elementary and
Wegeforth Elementary used the occasion of Dr. Seuss' birthday on March
2 to dedicate new library buildings. Students wore Dr. Seuss hats, sang
songs and read essays about the importance of libraries and reading.
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Three
schools celebrate library grand openings
January-February 2005
Students are enjoying
their new Proposition MM libraries at Cadman, Lee and Holmes elementary
schools. At right, Board Member Shelia Jackson speaks to students at
the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Lee Elementary.
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Construction
begins on Walter J. Porter Elementary
January 2005
Construction has begun on
Walter J. Porter Elementary. The school will open in September 2005 and
will serve 450 students in southeast San Diego. The school is modular,
or factory-built, which will save time and costs.
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Ground is
broken on new Lincoln High
December 2004
Despite the rain,
about 150 neighbors, community members, Lincoln alumni and district
staff came out for the groundbreaking on the new Lincoln High School.
The ceremony kicked off construction on the largest project in
Proposition MM.
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Lewis Middle, Lafayette Elementary and Knox
Elementary open new libraries before Winter Break
December 2004
Three schools held ribbon-cutting events before Winter Break.
Lewis Middle drew guests into its new library with the sounds of Lewis'
well-respected jazz band.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lafayette Elementary's new
library, Principal Heidi Eascott recognized the winners of
Summer Reader Achievers and essay contests. Students ended the ceremony
by singing -- and signing -- Lafayette's school spirit song.
At Knox Elementary, the new Proposition MM library was
completed three months ahead of schedule! The students were treated to
a visit by their new Board member, Shelia Jackson.
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Rowan
Elementary opens new Parent Resource Room
November 2004
Rowan Elementary opened its Parent Resource Room and
library, funded by Proposition MM. The Parent Resource Room contains
books, videos, work tables, meeting space and tutoring materials for
parents to help their children be successful in school.
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Eight schools host library dedications and Fall open
houses
September-November 2004
In Fall 2004, several schools around the district kicked off the school
year with ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate the grand opening of
new Proposition MM libraries: Lindbergh-Schweitzer, Silver Gate, Toler,
Dewey and Curie (pictured at right) elementary schools, as well as
Correia Junior High, Farb Middle and Madison High. Each ceremony had
special touches, with guest speakers including Board members, district
staff and parents. The ceremonies were followed by tours of the new
libraries, book fairs, fundraisers and back-to-school open house events.
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Golden Hill
Elementary breaks ground
September 2004
With the help of students from nearby Kimbrough Elementary, the ground
has been broken for Golden Hill Elementary. The new school will help
relieve crowding at Brooklyn and Kimbrough elementary schools.
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District
breaks ground on Mead Elementary
July 2004
The summer school students at Chollas Elementary helped turn the first
spade of dirt for the new Mead Elementary, one of three schools to be
rebuilt under Proposition MM.
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Boone
Elementary celebrates ribbon-cutting
June 2004
On June 30, students at Boone Elementary dedicated their new library
and classroom building. The event ceremony took on a patriotic theme as
students sang "This Land Is Your Land," "Grand Old Flag," and "Let's
Hear It For America." The school's new facility incorporates
cutting-edge energy efficient features, such as window glazing and
occupancy sensors. This will save $11,000 in electricity costs per year.
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Juarez
Elementary enjoys new modular library
June 2004
Students at Juarez Elementary are enjoying their brand new library. At
the dedication ceremony, Board Member Fran Zimmerman helped cut the
ribbon. Then parents toured the facility and reviewed the spring
exhibition of art and writing. The library is of modular construction
and was manufactured off-site. This method saves time and money and
minimizes construction disruption to the campus.
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Jackson
Elementary dedicates new library
June 2004
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Jackson Elementary's library, the
6-to-6 students performed a rap called "I like to read." Students
escorted guests to the new library and led tours that featured the new
computers, book categories and research areas.
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Event at
Jefferson Elementary features literacy
June 2004
Jefferson Elementary celebrated the opening of their new library with a
ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house. In honor of Thomas
Jefferson, who once told John Adams, "I cannot live without books," the
event and library's theme is literacy and the love of books.
Volunteers, including Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Berenstain
Bears, read stories to children in the library.
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Longfellow
Elementary conducts bilingual event
May 2004
At Longfellow Elementary, which is known for its Spanish language
program, students performed part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony in
Spanish. They recited the Pledge in Spanish and led skits featuring
Frida Kahlo and other respected Latino artists.
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Montgomery
Middle dedicates new library
May 2004
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Montgomery Middle, guests were
treated to a band concert and picnic dinner. The new library is an
expansion and modernization of the existing library.
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Mann Middle
opens new library
May 2004
Students at Mann Middle dedicated their new library during a
community-wide open house. The Color Guard kicked off the ceremony,
then guests were treated to tours and refreshments.
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Darnall
Elementary students
celebrate opening of new library
May 2004
During a
student assembly
at Darnall Elementary, students, parents and staff dedicated the new
library
building. Students sang several songs from different ethnic traditions.
The students were inspired by a visit from Assemblymember Shirley
Horton,
who spoke to the students about the importance of reading and
learning.
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Torrey
Pines cuts ribbon
with help from a Harlem Globetrotter
May 2004
Students at
Torrey Pines
Elementary were treated to a performance by a Harlem Globetrotter at
the
ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new library and classroom building. The
event was followed by Spring Open House.
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District
breaks ground
on Herbert Ibarra Elementary
May 2004
Students,
members of the
Ibarra family and district staff helped break ground on Herbert Ibarra
Elementary. Students from nearby Euclid Elementary read poems and an
acrostic
about Herbert Ibarra (1923-1993), the first Latino principal in San
Diego.
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Oak Park
Elementary gives
musical performance to celebrate new library
April 2004
Students at
Oak Park Elementary,
a music conservatory magnet, dedicated their new library with songs and
music. Students in the band, orchestra and choir performed patriotic
songs.
An inspiring speech was delivered by Lincoln Principal Wendell Bass.
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District
breaks ground
on Cherokee Point Elementary
March 2004
The
district broke ground
on Cherokee Point Elementary in City Heights, the first Proposition MM
new school. Students from Central Elementary participated in the event
by reading a poem they wrote about the new school and by helping shovel
the first scoop of dirt.
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Crawford
High dedicates
new library during Small Schools Open House
March 2004
Crawford
High drew a large
crowd for the dedication ceremony of the new library. Hundreds of
parents
and students gathered for the event, which served as a kick-off to the
evening's community festivities to promote the small schools that will
open at Crawford in Fall 2004.
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Audubon
Elementary celebrates
Dr. Seuss' birthday and opens new library
Students at
Audubon Elementary
tipped their hats to Dr. Seuss and celebrated his 100th birthday by
reading
some of their favorite Dr. Seuss stories. They concluded the event by
cutting
the ribbon on their brand-new library.
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Students at
Freese Elementary
love their new library and classroom building
February
2004
Students at
Freese Elementary
are enjoying their new library and classroom building. The new
two-story
classroom building will accommodate 5th and 6th grade classes. These
upper-grade
classes were previously in bungalows at the edge of the school's
campus.
After the ceremony, students rushed to tour their new classrooms, which
they had not been allowed to see until the official ribbon-cutting
event.
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Hearst
Elementary opens
new library and honors bookcover designs
February
2004
At Hearst
Elementary's dedication
ceremony for the new library, students were honored for designing
bookcovers.
The bookcovers were put on display and represented students' favorite
books.
Pictured at the right are City Councilmember Jim Madaffer, Chief
Operating
Officer Lou Smith, Board Member Katherine Nakamura and Principal Robin
Stern.
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Accessibility
ramp at
Toler Elementary has special meaning
January 2004
At Toler
Elementary, the
new accessibility ramp has special meaning for Dominic Rock. Dominic
attended
Toler as a student over a decade ago and now works at the school as a
classroom
assistant. Before the ramp was built, Dominic's path of travel was
cumbersome
and out-of-the-way, especially when visiting the classrooms located on
the higher tier of the campus. On January 6, Toler students cheered as
Dominic cut the ribbon and dedicated the new ramp, which was made
possible through Proposition MM funding.
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State
Superintendent
stresses need for Proposition 55 in San Diego
December
2003
State
Superintendent Jack
O'Connell held a news conference outside of Correia Junior High to urge
support for Proposition 55, the state bond measure on the March 2004
ballot
that will provide construction funds to SDCS and schools across the
state.
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Cabrillo
Elementary celebrates
Proposition MM's 5-year birthday
November
2003
At Cabrillo
Elementary, the
school community held festivities in conjunction with the 5-year
anniversary
of Proposition MM. Students spelled out the word "L-I-B-R-A-R-Y" and
read
aloud stories about why libraries are important.
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Students at
Grant Elementary
open new classroom building
November
2003
Grant
Elementary dedicated
its new two-story classroom building, which has made possible the
removal
of portables from the playground.
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Science
curriculum unveiled
at Kroc Middle's dedication
November
2003
Kroc Middle
dedicated its
new science labs and unveiled the new science curriculum to parents.
Students
cut the ribbon with science scissors, then performed science lab
experiments
for guests.
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Sessions
Elementary dedicates
library with patriotic event
November
2003
At Sessions
Elementary's
library dedication, an all-student assembly attracted an “overhead”
crowd.
The Channel 7/39 traffic helicopter flew over during the event and
aired
a segment on the evening news. Students dressed as historic figures and
gave library tours.
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Mission Bay
High opens
new library and science labs
October 2003
Students
and staff celebrated
Mission Bay High's 50th birthday by dedicating the new library and
science
labs. The event was attended by Mission Bay High's cheer squad, the
Pacific
Beach Town Council, and Proposition MM team members. The day-long
festivities
included tours, a pancake breakfast, craft fair and performances by the
high school's Dixieland Jazz Band.
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Alcott
Elementary brings
back the 1950s
October 2003
Alcott
Elementary brought
back the 1950s for its library dedication and PTA fundraiser. Staff,
students
and parents - dressed in poodle skirts and leather jackets - dedicated
the new library, then held a sock-hop to raise money. The PTA decorated
the school in pink and black balloons and displayed old yearbooks and
1950s
memorabilia.
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Twain Jr/Sr
High dedicates
new facilities
October 2003
The new
library, instructional
support space and science labs at Twain Jr/Sr High are open for
business.
Special touches at the dedication ceremony included a "thank you" sign
autographed by students, a "Pump Up The Volumes" book donation
challenge,
and a rose bush dedication to honor a staff member who battled cancer.
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Mariachi
band entertains
crowd at Crown Point Elementary's dedication
October 2003
At Crown
Point Elementary,
students were entertained by a mariachi band just before the grand
opening
of the new library. Students also sang patriotic songs, read aloud
essays
about libraries and served refreshments.
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Demolition
begins to
make way for a new Lincoln High
September
2003
The walls
came crumbling
down at Lincoln High as alumni, students and community members watched
quietly. Guests took pieces of cement as keepsakes after the ceremony.
Construction on the new Lincoln will begin in Fall 2004.
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Band,
choir, cheer squad
and drill team kick off Clairemont High's dedication
September
2003
More than
1,400 Clairemont
students packed the courtyard to watch the marching band, choir, drill
team and cheerleaders kick off the grand opening of the new library and
amphitheater. Special guests included Superintendent Alan Bersin, Board
Members Katherine Nakamura and John deBeck, and Gil Johnson and Dorothy
Leonard of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The ASB
created
a time capsule, then served cake to all students.
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Fletcher
Elementary combines
dedication with PTA fundraiser
September
2003
Fletcher
Elementary combined
its library dedication with the annual PTA pizza fundraiser. Students
decorated
the library with poems, posters and cut-outs and stood at "tour
stations"
to teach visitors about the difference between fiction, non-fiction and
research books. Guests donated books.
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Senator
DeDe Alpert joins
San Diego High's ribbon cutting
September
2003
San Diego
High has a new
30-classroom building for general classrooms, science labs and
computers.
At the dedication ceremony, Senator DeDe Alpert made remarks, Principal
Carol Whaley gave honorary SDHS diplomas to the Proposition MM
construction
team, and cheerleaders led tours of the new facilities.
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Birney
Elementary hosts
community reception at library dedication
September
2003
At Birney
Elementary's dedication,
students, staff and community members autographed the original
blueprint
of the new library and classroom building. The blueprint will be framed
and posted. Students displayed their "construction photo albums," and
the
University Heights Community Association donated books.
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SDSU
football team, story
teller and African drummer attend Carson Elementary's library dedication
July 2003
At Carson
Elementary's library
ribbon cutting event, students were enthralled with the SDSU football
captain
and lead players, who spoke about the importance of reading and
studying.
The athletes signed t-shirts and handed out footballs to the students.
Students also heard from Dr. Annjennette McFarlin, a locally renown
storyteller.
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Dana
Middle
opens new
multipurpose
gymnasium and library
May
2003
Students
at
Dana Middle celebrated the opening of their new library and a
multipurpose
gymnasium, funded by Proposition
MM.
The Dana band kicked off the open house event with a concert. The
library
is an expansion and renovation of the previous library. The
multipurpose
gymnasium and locker rooms complete the conversion of the school to a
traditional
middle school.
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Celebrating
literacy
at Clay Elementary
May 2003
Clay
students celebrated
the opening of the new library with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed
by a literacy open house
and tours. Students made bookmarks for guests. Librarian Diane Castro
received
a library cart as a surprise gift from staff. She is pictured here with
Clifford the Big Red Dog, played by her husband.
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Marvin
Elementary
dedicates new library
May
2003
The
new library
at Marvin Elementary includes a computer lab, reading areas and book
collections.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the PTA held its annual silent
auction
fundraiser.
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Gage
Elementary
opens new library and celebrates 40 years
May
2003
Students,
parents
and teachers dedicated their new Proposition MM library, which houses
books,
computers, space for reading, and a teacher workroom. The school also
celebrated
the 40th anniversary of the school and the founding of the Gage PTA.
Pictured
from left to right are Chris Lavache (construction manager), Katherine
Nakamura (Board Member), Lynn (principal), Scott Patterson (deputy COO,
Facilities Management), Jeff Hudson (project manager), Lou Smith (COO,
Facilities Management).
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Angier
Elementary
celebrates Dr. Seuss Day with library opening
March
2003
At
a full student
assembly, Angier Elementary students, teachers and parents dedicated
the
school's new Proposition MM library. The event coincided with Dr.
Seuss'
birthday and Read Across America Day. Students sang Happy Birthday to
Dr.
Seuss, wore Cat in the Hat toppers and donated books from their
classrooms.
The Angier Steppers, a stomping/clapping troupe, performed for the
crowd.
The ribbon was cut by Principal Susan Manning, Trustee Frances O'Neill
Zimmerman, Librarian Nancy Sevenbergen, Kiwanis representatives and two
students.
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New
library
media center opens at Bell Junior High
February
2003
Students
and
staff at Bell Junior High celebrated the grand opening of their new
library
media center and kicked off the Chinese New Year. The event included a
performance of the Chinese Lion Dance and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Staff
and students dressed in traditional Chinese garments and participated
in
Chinese fortune telling and paper-cutting lessons. The library houses a
computer center, research area, book collections, classroom space,
trilingual
signage, and the popular Read-A-Latte room, with a hot chocolate/latte
machine for students and staff.
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Sequoia
Elementary students celebrate new library and Proposition MM's
four-year
anniversary
October
2002
Students
at
Sequoia Elementary cut the ribbon on their new library and sang "Happy
Birthday" to Proposition MM, the $1.51 billion facilities improvement
bond
measure passed by 78 percent of San Diego voters in 1998. Principal
Susan
Izu led the festivities as students sang patriotic songs and read aloud
essays about what the new library means to them. Read
the news release.
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New
Proposition
MM school receives special state recognition
October
2002 San
Diego City Schools and state officials celebrated a milestone event:
the 1000th
new school site approved by the Department of Toxic Substances Control
(DTSC). The DTSC ensures that all new school sites in California are
free of
hazardous materials and safe for children. The new school to be built
near
Chollas and Mead elementary schools is the 1000th site approved by the
DTSC.
Senator Dede Alpert was on hand as DTSC Director Ed Lowry made the
presentation
to Lou Smith, COO of Facilities Management.
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Students
at Tubman Village dedicate new library
September
2002
Students
and
staff at Harriet Tubman Village Elementary dedicated their new
Proposition
MM library. The new library building houses books, a computer lab and
space
for reading, teaching and instructional support.
"This
library
and the books inside it will open our students' minds to places they've
never been," said Principal Catherine Pope. "I thank the citizens of
San
Diego who voted for Proposition MM to make this possible. We've waited
for this for a long time."
Read
the news release.
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Loma
Portal
Elementary opens new library
September
2002
Loma
Portal
Elementary hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Proposition MM
library. Principal Robin Stern led the event by reading quotes from
Laura
Bush about the importance of literacy. Special guest Clifford the Big
Red
Dog was also part of the festivities, providing hugs and "pawtographs"
for his little fans.
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Foster
Elementary
breaks ground on new library
June
2002
Students,
teachers,
parents and neighbors joined in the library groundbreaking ceremony
festivities
at Foster Elementary. The new library will house book collections and
space
for reading, teaching and instructional support. Principal Christine
Cashman
led the ceremony as special guests participated in the "first dig."
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Work
begins
on Cherokee Point Elementary
April
2002
In
April 2002,
the first dwellings in a City Heights neighborhood were demolished to
transform
a 6.9-acre-site for the new Cherokee Point Elementary. The new school
will
alleviate overcrowding at the current Central Elementary, where Dave
Downey
is principal.
Downey
stated,
"Central is a school that occupies two square blocks and has 1000
students.
We have no more classroom space available. This new school will be a
huge
advantage."
Read
the news release.
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