22 Oct 2004
Bond Program Continues Ramp Up With Rosemont Primary School—
Chris V. Semos Campus
DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District officials, including Interim General Superintendent Larry Groppel and Trustee Jerome Garza, were joined by community and city representatives Friday, Oct. 22, for the official groundbreaking ceremony for Rosemont Primary School—Chris V. Semos Campus.
Rosemont Primary School is the fourth new school under construction with funds from the 2002 Bond Program. The 91,000-square-foot elementary school will house 800 students with 37 core classrooms. In addition, it will have art, science and instructional technology classrooms, a performing hall and media center.
"Today's groundbreaking is more than just ceremonial," said District 7 Trustee Jerome Garza. "It is a promise to our children and a commitment to the future. It represents belief that your students can receive and achieve a solid education in DISD."
The school's namesake, Chris V. Semos, was a Dallas legislator for more than 28 years serving in the Texas Legislature and as a Dallas County Commissioner. His love for children fueled efforts to improve education and economic stability in Oak Cliff and all of Dallas County.
Much of his work was aimed at helping to strengthen families, largely because of the values he'd been taught by his parents and extended family.
"There is a Greek proverb that says, 'The beginning is half of every action,'" said Dr. Groppel.
"I think Mr. Semos, with his love for children and education, would deem that an appropriate proverb for today because we are providing a beginning, elementary education for the children of this community. And that education is half the way to success."
Students from Rosemont, Louise W. Kahn, and John Reagan elementary schools will attend the school when it opens next year.
Voters showed strong confidence and trust in the DISD when, in January 2002, they approved a $1.37 billion bond program to build 21 new schools and add to or renovate all existing schools.
Two new schools under construction in August 2003 opened their doors in fall 2004, and a former school was renovated and opened as the first public all-girls school in Texas. Sites have been identified for all new schools. A number of additions and renovation projects also are underway and scheduled for completion in 2005.