NEWS                                                                                    Walnut Valley Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             880 S. Lemon Avenue

November 8, 2013                                                               Walnut, CA 91789

 

Contact:       

Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204

WALNUT, CA-- Collegewood Elementary School opened the doors to its new Media Tech Center on October 8.

An official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held during a spirit day assembly attended by students, staff members, district and local officials.

The school library has been relocated from a portable to a centralized classroom featuring modern décor, eBook station, new shelving for hundreds books and cozy reading areas.

Students can leave post-it messages about what they like about their new library. Dry erase boards and ceiling-high magnetic pillars encourage creativity and writing.

During the ceremony, two longtime Collegewood friends came back to read the first book from the new library.

Robert Chang, director of human resources and former principal and Liz Dickerson, retired first grade teacher, took turns reading aloud The Best Place to Read.

“What’s the best place to read? If you ask me, it’s the Collegwood Library!” they said in unison personalizing the very last line.

Several students shared why they were excited about the new library,

“It will have informational technology and nonfiction books,” said one boy. “I can’t wait to see inside,” one girl said.

Principal Joan Perez said the beautiful new library shows the promise of 21st Century school libraries.

“It is a gateway to information resources and services, It is a design studio for those who want to be creative. It is a place where you can come and be creative and collaborative. It’s also a calm and relaxing space if you just want to come and read a book. It truly is a vision of what a library media center should be and it gives me great pleasure to present it to each and everyone of you,” she said.

“We hear a lot about the 21st Century skills and the five “C’s”, said Perez.

“Think about how are the five “C’s going to help our library media center?” In today’s library, students will be working in an information-driven world. So now more than ever our library is critical to fostering students who are prepared to student, to work, study, and live in a global economy,” she said.

City of Walnut Mayor Tony Cartagena presented a certificate of recognition and said he loves to visit the library.

Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Tragarz, a Collegewood alumni and former parent, said she has lots of memories about the school.

“I’m really excited to see this because it was my 5th grade classroom with my very favorite teacher, Mr. Almberg,” she said.

“The Media Tech Center is officially open!” announced Principal Perez after cutting the red ribbon.

Classes took turns touring the library following the ceremony throughout the day.

Collegewood alumni Robert Chang and Liz Dickerson read the very first book to students. (5084, 5087)

Principal Joan Perez cut the official grand opening ribbon with Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, students, staff, district and local officials. 

Kindergarteners with teacher Margot Mackessy got their first look at the school’s new library. 

Students checked out the iPads at the EBook Station. 

Fourth graders took a close up look at the books in their new library. 

Fourth graders Katie Kim and Miya Soto shared what they like about reading.