Grand opening celebration for school in Gastonia
Pleasant Ridge Elementary makes its debut during grand opening ceremony
Clutching a pair of oversized scissors and surrounded by school leaders , a quartet of students cut the red ribbon on Sunday , August 20 , to signify the official opening of Pleasant Ridge Elementary School .
Hundreds of people applauded as Superintendent of Schools W . Jeffrey Booker proclaimed the new school open to the public . The ribbon cutting was the finale act for the school ’ s debut during the festive grand opening ceremony .
The program featured dignitaries , speeches , a student drumming performance , and the presentation of the building . Principal Glenn Cook welcomed guests and shared information about the new school .
After the formal ceremony , guests toured the school and enjoyed refreshments . As they arrived , they were greeted by a pep rally atmosphere featuring the Hunter Huss High School marching band drum line and cheerleaders . the building with hints of yellow , lime green , and orange . Each of the four classroom hallways features one of the colors .
Atop the main staircase is the heart of the school – the library , a place that fosters an exciting multimedia experience for students . Just steps from the book shelves are a computer lab , makerspace , television broadcasting room , and classrooms for art and music – areas that are in proximity to the library so creativity , exploration , and discovery can flourish .
The spacious classrooms are designed to support collaborative teaching and learning . The desks can be arranged in traditional style when necessary , but most times , they will be placed together like puzzle pieces so students can interact and share in small groups . Flat panel screens , oversized whiteboards , instructional technology , and other features transform the classrooms and captivate the students ’ attention through highly visual and interactive elements .
Booker , who presided over the program , stated , “ We are extremely proud of our new Pleasant Ridge Elementary School and believe it will be the crown jewel of the community . Many people came together to make this contemporary campus a reality for west Gastonia , and it will be a place for many years to come where our children will learn , grow , and thrive .”
Booker added , “ Anytime you open a brand new school , it is a momentous occasion . The grand opening celebration gave our community a ‘ sneak peek ’ at the magnificent new school , and we were pleased to show it off . We are confident that the school will be an additional source of great pride for the Pleasant Ridge community .”
u About the new school
The new Pleasant Ridge Elementary School is an investment in west Gastonia that exceeds $ 20 million . It is the result of the school bonds approved by voters in 2007 and a plan by the Gaston County Board of Education to consolidate three older , smaller elementary schools – Forest Heights , Pleasant Ridge , and Rhyne – into one larger , new school .
The new school retains the Pleasant Ridge name since it sits adjacent to the old school . The address is 1260 Floyd Lane .
The campus consumes a 14-acre tract , and the building spans approximately 122,000 square feet with two floors of classrooms , various instructional spaces , administrative offices , teacher workrooms , conference rooms , a cafeteria / gymnasium , and other areas . It is designed to accommodate 800 students .
The color scheme provides an inviting and eye-catching look for the school ’ s interior . A shade of azure blue is the primary accent color found throughout
Outside , large glass windows along the front of the school complement the red brick edifice with the school name spelled out proudly in large nickelplated letters . There are 240 spaces for visitor , staff , and handicapped parking and drop-off and pick-up lanes in front of the school for car riders and on the rear side of the building for bus riders . A courtyard between the building ’ s wings allows for outdoor learning activities , and the area where the old school remains will soon become a green space for a playground .
Incorporated into the new campus are an eight-classroom building and a gymnasium / multipurpose room that were a part of the old school . These buildings are in excellent condition and preserving them will make room for an afterschool program and future growth .
u Home for new Gifted and Talented Academy
Gaston County Schools ’ new Gifted and Talented Academy is making its home at Pleasant Ridge Elementary , bringing some 200 children from across Gaston County to the campus . With a whole-school approach in mind , all students at Pleasant Ridge will benefit from the magnet academy program through exciting academic and extracurricular activities designed to expand students ’ intellect , encourage high academic achievement , and nurture personal development .
u Watch on Channel 21
The grand opening ceremony was recorded and will air September 11-17 on Spectrum Cable Channel 21 at the following times each day : 9:00 a . m ., 1:00 p . m ., 4:30 p . m ., 8:00 p . m ., and 11:00 p . m . It also will be available on the Gaston County Schools YouTube channel .
6 • September / October 2017 • Parent Teacher Magazine