Riverside Elementary School celebrated the completion of a $2 million renovation project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the media center on December 12.
Due to the voter-approved SMART Bond program, more than $2 million has been allocated for campuswide enhancements, including the renovated media center, ADA-compliant restrooms, HVAC improvements, fire sprinkler system and more.
Most of the work involved major improvements to the media center, including new furniture, flooring, shelves, and a space reorganization.
Principal Lisa Balint said campus-wide renovations included re-roofing, a new fire alarm system, and ADA-compliant restrooms.
“This has been amazing, and we now have a new media center that offers kids a comfortable and warm space to spend time and read books. We want to encourage our students to love books,” said Balint.
Broward County Schools board member Lori Alhadeff, school board chair Debra Hixon, and superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn attended the ribbon cutting and spoke on the importance of a media center. A group of first graders sang about their love of books.
Briella Danin, 11, a fifth grader and Coral Springs resident, looks forward to spending time in the new media center. “I love to read books, and this is a place I want to be. It is well organized,” said Danin.
Lisa Ivanik, the media specialist leading the media center, looks forward to seeing students work in the new center. “We replace the old library with a more comfortable space where kids learn together,” she said.
Hepburn said, “This will be a comfortable place for students to learn. Literacy is important, and we need to encourage students to read. “
Board member Debbi Hixon said, “This will be a place for kids to learn together. It will encourage a love for learning.”
The $800 million Safety, Music and Art, Athletics, Renovation Technology capital improvement program funded the renovations.
Riverside Elementary School is located at 11450 Riverside Drive, Coral Springs.
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