Not long ago, nine portable classroom units lined the back of Graham Hill Elementary School. Now lawn has replaced the building units and a playground stands where pavement once was. Students used to cram into the small library that was severely out of date. Now they can flourish in a spacious new library and large, state-of-the-art computer lab.
"It is like Graham Hill's 'Field of Dreams,'" said former Principal Barbra Bahner.
Graham Hill Elementary's $4.8 million addition was celebrated in an open house last week with Seattle Public School Superintendent Raj Manhas and project architect Ken Kubota in attendance. After two years of planning and eight months of construction, the school officially re-opened last February, and the students moved from their portable classrooms into their re-made facility. The Oct. 14 ribbon-cutting celebrated last spring's milestone and drew a large crowd of parents, friends and former students and staff members to view the "new" Graham Hill Elementary.
"The number of people who are here tonight speaks to how the community is part of the school," said Principal Joanne Hill to a crowd of well wishers. "It shows that you have created lasting relationships and now you are returning to reminisce."
The new addition, funded by the Building Excellence II Levy passed by Seattle voters in 2001, includes a new library, computer lab and expanded classroom space for the school. The school now also boasts a new day-care unit and a revamped playground. The levy provided funding for renovation, new construction, or additions at 17 schools.
"One by one we are transforming schools for students of today and students of tomorrow," said Manhas.
"Students are happier and closer. It has a real family feel now that everyone is in the same building," said Graham Hill teacher Mary Reece.
Suzanne Wolf, mother of two Graham Hill students, agreed.
"It is very nice to get everyone in one building. It feels better being inside; like one big inclusive family," stated Reece. "There no one is being isolated."
Without bathrooms, running water or adequate heating, the nine portables needed work. When former Principal Bahner joined the school, one of her first jobs involved organizing a push to replace the portables by stumping for the levy's passage.
"From day one I knew I had to say that it was a goal to transform the educational environment of Graham Hill Elementary to create an environment where children could learn and teachers could teach," said Reece.
The school's faculty was honored for their efforts at the open house celebration. More importantly, they were acknowledged for their daily hard work through the construction phase when their classrooms were disrupted by the rattling of jackhammers down the hall.
"What would schools be without teachers?" asked Hill. "I truly believe the work is in the classroom and we need to provide all the support we can."
With its strong teaching staff, Graham Hill fosters many unique programs in addition to the traditional classroom offerings. One such example is the Montessori program, which began at Graham Hill in 1991. This holistic approach to learning enrolls students in grades K-5 and gives them the opportunity to take a different approach to their education.
"Which ever program fits the needs of the student the best is what they can enroll in," said Reece. "It is a very unique program."
The school also has a strong bilingual curriculum and special instruction for advanced learning to encompass the incredible diversity the school fosters. In 2003, 23 percent of the student population was enrolled in the bilingual program at Graham Hill.
At the close of the ceremony, Hill was joined by many of those involved in the project, including Superintendent Manhas, Project Manager Don Gillmore and Seattle School Board Director Jan Kumasaka. As their scissors snipped the thick, blue ribbon signifying the schools reopening, the fifth-grade student chorus sang "Thank You," a tribute to the many hours put into the school.
"With the cutting of the ribbon we reaffirm our commitment to the students," said Hill. "We will teach them well."
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