Franklin Elementary STEAM Magnet School students, alumni, community members, and San Diego Unified School District representatives grabbed shovels to pose in front of a makeshift dirt mound, as part of the district\u2019s traditional groundbreaking celebration on Thursday, May 26.<\/p>\n
The event marked the start of the school\u2019s highly anticipated Whole Site Modernization project, which will bring a state-of-the-art two-story classroom building, renovations and modernizations to all classrooms, and campuswide enhancements to the nearly century old site.<\/p>\n
\u201cFranklin has served generations of students in the Kensington and City Heights communities for 93 years and counting,\u201d said Dr. Lamont Jackson, Superintendent of San Diego Unified. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to bring Franklin students new facilities and technology that will enhance their educational experience, while creating new memories that will carry onto the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou walk onto our campus and you can see and feel the history,\u201d said Melissa Roy-Wood, Franklin Principal. \u201cBut you also see aging buildings and a need for expanded play areas. So we are beyond ecstatic about this makeover.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new classroom facility will include collaborative workspaces, a staff lounge and a student food services kitchen, which is part of an expanded student dining area that will be complete with a shade canopy. Outdoor improvements include renovated kindergarten and upper-grade playgrounds with shaded play structures, a learning garden with a shade canopy, and a bioretention basin with landscaping.<\/p>\n
Campuswide safety will be improved with a student services suite and a monitored single point of entry, modern public address\/intercom system, security cameras, intrusion and fire alarm systems, and secure perimeter fencing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have worked hard to bring this project to fruition, with careful planning and design meetings with the school and community,\u201d said Kevin Beiser, Board of Education Trustee for District B. \u201cNow, it\u2019s time to watch as our visions are brought to life. Our students and the Kensington community deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are honored and very excited to be a part of the modernization of Franklin Elementary School,\u201d said Safdie Taal of Safdie Rabines Architects. \u201cIt has been inspiring to work with such an active and involved community to create a new vision for the campus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Construction is anticipated to complete in late 2024. The district is working with the school and community to integrate historical elements into the modernization.<\/p>\n