19 Feb 2010
Dallas Independent School District delivers on 2008 bond promises
DALLAS–A glimpse of the future George Herbert Walker Bush Elementary School was revealed today with Dallas Independent School District officials and public dignitaries shoveling the first chunks of dirt for the official groundbreaking.
George Herbert Walker Bush Elementary School, named for the 41st president of the United States, will welcome students in 2011. The elementary school, located at 3939 Spring Valley Rd. in Addison, is one of 14 new schools beginning construction in the next three years as part of the Dallas ISD 2008 Bond Program.
"We are proud to begin construction on a school that will provide countless students with the space and tools necessary to reach their highest education goals," said Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. "When voters approved the 2008 Bond Program, we promised we would take on projects that directly benefit our neighborhoods. This school represents us coming through on that promise."
Designed as a two-story, 94,000 square foot facility, Bush Elementary School will include students from the current attendance zones of Tom Gooch, Jerry Junkins and Anne Frank elementary schools. The new school will serve about 825 students from Pre-K through 5th grade. Plans include 35 classrooms, a media center, a visual arts area, outdoor learning area, computer labs, a gymnasium, a food service/cafeteria area and administrative space.
One unique feature is the Discovery Wall, a collage of images located along the main corridor that prompts students to ask questions. Formerly an underused area adjacent to Loos Fieldhouse, the campus will eventually include a bike-and-hike trail, a joint project between the District and the Town of Addison. Nearby residents will be able to use some of the campus facilities outside of school hours.
Addison Mayor Joe Chow, Superintendent Hinojosa, Dallas ISD Board of Trustees and other special guests joined in celebrating the important milestone. Students from Jerry Junkins Elementary School acted as greeters and the Thomas C. Marsh Middle School Leadership Cadet Corps provided the presentation of colors. Providing musical entertainment, the Anne Frank Elementary School choir sang "Miles and Miles of Texas."
George P. Bush, attorney and grandson of President George Herbert Walker Bush, spoke about the great honor his grandfather felt in having a school named after him.
In May 2008, Dallas voters strongly supported a $1.35 billion bond program, paving the way for the district to build eight elementary schools, four middle schools and two high schools, and construct 177 new classrooms on 12 existing campuses. In addition, the bond program will provide roughly $521 million to renovate more than 200 schools, add 19 science labs at secondary schools and updates to 16 school kitchens and 22 lunchrooms. Information on the allocation of bond funds can be found at www.dallasisd.org/bond2008.
"Dallas ISD principals and their teachers are no longer focusing on teaching to the test but rather creating academically challenging assignments that will better prepare students for college and the world of work. Dallas ISD has become an exemplar for urban schools as an effort based district that focuses on high achievement for all students."
Institute for Learning
University of Pittsburgh
June 2009