GCS School "Building Futures"
Elementary School Updates
Pleasant Garden Elementary
On March 23, the lucky students and staff of Pleasant Garden Elementary moved into four new classrooms. In August 2008, the school received a new kitchen, dining room and several classrooms, and since then, the old dining area and classrooms have been undergoing facelifts. Transformed into an art room with a kiln, a computer lab, science labs, a resource room and more, the new spaces open up possibilities for the 550 pre-kindergartners through fifth-graders who attend the school.
“We are very thankful to have the addition and renovation at Pleasant Garden Elementary completed,” said Principal Sarah Matthews. “It allows the instructional day of our students to occur in one building. Our students don’t have to cross the street to get to classes anymore, and that increases the effective learning time and safety of our children. The new science labs help our teachers to maximize science instruction with hands-on learning and experiments, and our new computer lab engages students in 21st century learning, projects, research and technology.”
In addition, this project from the 2003 School Bond also provided new bathrooms, plumbing fixtures, lighting, HVAC and fire sprinklers. The school also received new energy efficient exterior doors and windows.
“The students and staff work very hard to make sure all students are achieving to their highest potential with excellence in academics and character every day,” Matthews said. “Our new facilities provide a safe and inviting learning environment supported by the community and district for our future leaders.”
Union Hill Elementary
Meanwhile, construction is moving along rapidly at the replacement school for Union Hill Elementary. The new school will feature state-of-the-art technology and design – a big change from the original Union Hill School, which was a one-room schoolhouse on Jackson Lake Road. The new school features three classroom wings. Brick masonry has been completed on two wings, and masonry work continues on the media center, multi-purpose room and a third wing. Two wings are completely dried in, and crews are working on finish painting and flooring in one of them.
The school, one of the final projects of the 2003 School Bond, will hold approximately 750 students and replaces a facility that was built in 1929. The new Union Hill incorporates some of the unique features of the old building, and original precast pieces saved from the old school were recently placed in the eaves of the new school. In addition, the original bell, a major component of the old school’s character, was found in the old building’s cupola and will be placed in the new school’s media center to preserve a key piece of the Union Hill history.
Principal Dean LaVere said people are buzzing about the new school: “The students, parents, staff and community are very excited to see the large amount of progress on our replacement school. With the placement of the concrete casting from the old building this week, there is a greater anticipation for our scheduled move in date of August 2009.”
In compliance with federal laws, Guilford County Schools administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Refer to the Board of Education's Discrimination Free Environment Policy AC for a complete statement. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Guilford County Schools Compliance Officer, 120 Franklin Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27401; 336.370.2323.