Maple Hill Elementary staff celebrates at ribbon cutting. (Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)
By KELLI GILE
Diamond Bar – On Sept. 3, Walnut Valley Unified School District threw a party to celebrate the completion of the modernization at Maple Hill Elementary.
“Thank you all for coming out and supporting us today on our very special, special day. It means so much to have so many people here that care about Maple Hill,” said Principal Nancy Stingley.
About 200 friends of the school including community members, parents, students, current and former staff, district and local officials attended the grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Maple Hill would not be the school that it is today without your support,” Stingley added. She recalled when staff members moved into a village of 29 portables for construction that began in June of 2013.
The school family stuck together, worked hard learning new Common Core curriculum, implemented a positive behavior intervention program, and proudly earned a 2014 California Distinguished School Award.
The remodeled campus officially opened its doors on August 18, on the first day of the 2014-2015 school year.
“This has been a fantastic journey for us. Today is a day of celebration and of new beginnings,” Stingley said at the ceremony.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor thanked community members for their support of the construction projects throughout the district.
“It takes so many people to see a project through – especially to its fruition like we have here at Maple Hill. For the kids in this community, I’m so glad you get to go to this beautiful school,” Taylor said.
“Now our Maple Hill students will have a physical environment that will match the learning environment, and they so deserve it!” Board President Cindy Ruiz added.
“We’ve been given an extraordinary gift. This building – our home – has been transformed, and we are so grateful,” said fourth grade teacher Tami Barry.
Teachers led small groups on a tour of their new school after the ribbon cutting.
