13-Aug-10 4:00 PM CST

Amelia Elementary School dedication and grand opening set for August 20, 2010

Amelia Elementary School dedication and grand opening set for August 20, 2010

Holley Hancock, principal of Amelia Elementary School, is gearing up for two of the biggest days of the school year. One is the first day of school when she and her staff of 60 receive 135 new pre-kindergarteners, 80 new kindergarteners, 80 new first graders and some 320 second, third, fourth and fifth graders. That’s August 23.

The next most important day for Hancock is August 20. That’s when she officially opens the all new Amelia that replaces the 100 year-old former Amelia main structure that was demolished last year. In fact, when the grand opening, dedication and ribbon cutting occur at 10:30 a.m. Friday in front of Amelia (located at 565 Major Drive), the event will be a landmark occasion.

While the Beaumont Independent School District has opened several school additions over the last year as part of the 2007 facilities improvement bond issue, Amelia is the first all new school to be completed as part of the voter approved bond issue.

The public is invited to join Hancock, school board officials, BISD administrators, members of the Community Advisory Bond Committee, numerous public officials, students and staff of Amelia and other community leaders attending the grand opening and dedication ceremony.

The new Amelia is now a state of the art learning campus featuring outstanding technology throughout the facility with 34 classrooms, one science lab, two computer labs, an art room, a music room, a pre-k wing, a library, cafeteria, a gym with stage, administrative offices and more.

Tom Harrison, president of Allco Construction, is a former Amelia student. His company is the builder. Long Architects designed the new school and Parsons, Inc. managed the construction project.

Following the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremonies, a public tour of the new school will be led by Hancock and the Amelia family.

Principal Holley Hancock