11 Nov 2006
School Named in Honor of Longtime Dallas ISD Educator
DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District officials were joined by community leaders, parents, students and elected officials Saturday, Nov. 11, for the dedication ceremony of Frank Guzick Elementary School, 5000 Berridge Lane.
The one-story brick facility serves 800 students from the Buckner Terrace community in southeast Dallas. The $12 million elementary school is named for Dallas educator Frank Guzick who held many roles in Dallas ISD including principal of one the nation's first magnet schools, Skyline High School. Guzick Elementary is located just north of Skyline High School
Principal Kathryn Giddens kicked off the celebration, which featured Skyline High School JROTC Color Guard and Deryl Dodd, Skyline graduate and country and western recording artist, who sang the National Anthem. The event included remarks from Dallas ISD Trustee Ron Price and Legal Services General Counsel Jack Elrod. Larry and Stan Guzick, Guzick's sons, spoke of their father's style of leadership and the strong relationships he built with students, teachers and parents. The cast of the school's production of the musical Annie, directed by Sheilah Walker, performed You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.
District 9 Trustee Price discussed the school's superior technology including videoconferencing facilities, which allow students to discuss lessons with other students from all over the world and to receive instruction from experts in various fields. Price challenged students and teachers to use this technology to live up to the school motto, "giant effort today creates giant achievement tomorrow."
Guzick students benefit from a strong PTA organization and community partnerships with Hall's Chicken, McDonald's, Tzu Chi Foundation and Frank Roby, CEO of Holmes Murphy & Associates. Skyline High School students come to Guzick Elementary each week to serve as tutors, assist with student council activities and provide horticulture and landscape support.
The 90,000 square foot school includes 33 classrooms, a state-of-the art computer lab, a science lab, an art room with a kiln for ceramics, a media center, a cafeteria and food service area, a gymnasium with hardwood floors, and a 400-seat auditorium. The building is divided into four wings, each with its own courtyard/garden area. Outdoors, students can enjoy a basketball court and playground, combined with access to playing fields at the adjacent Skyline High School.
Guzick Elementary received students from Edna Rowe and Urban Park elementary schools. Students will continue their education at John B. Hood Middle School and Skyline High School.
The construction and design team included program manager, Austin Commercial; architect, Hidell Associates Architects; and builder, Starling Richardson.
The 2002 Dallas ISD bond program funded a total of 21 new schools, more than 30 major additions, and renovations at nearly every campus in the district. Frank Guzick Elementary School is the eighth new school dedication of the 2002 bond program. To date, 15 new schools are complete and 95 of 155 renovations are complete. More than 1,300 new classrooms have been added across the district with the capacity to serve more than 30,000 students.
Other schools scheduled for dedication this fall include Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr., Jimmie Tyler Brashear, and Jerry R. Junkins elementary schools. Four additional schools will be dedicated next spring.