StoneBridge Elementary
Grand Opening - Ribbon Cutting
Friday, August 7, 2009
Teachers at StoneBridge
Elementary School began setting up classrooms
last week, readying for the new school's
inaugural batch on second- and third-graders.
Although construction crews are putting the
finishing touches on the new Brandon school,
Rankin County School District officials say
it'll be ready for the first day of class Aug.
10.
The 77,580-square-foot school is
Rankin's newest school, since opening Highland Bluff
Elementary last year. The Brandon area has not had a
new school since Rouse was built about 12 years ago,
principal Sue Townsend said.
Construction on the $11 million school began in
February 2008, and the school can fit up to 900
students.
Townsend, coming from Brandon Elementary where she
was principal, said the new school will exhibit the
21st Century classroom. All computers are Mac
laptops, aimed to promote mobility, and no
televisions will be in classrooms.
"We'll be the first all-laptop school (in the
district), all the way from the secretary to the
teachers to the administration," she said.
The school is raising funds to purchase smart boards
and projectors, like the ones installed at Highland
Bluff, which will be able to play video clips and
provide other interactive opportunities for students
and teachers.
Other amenities of the new school include an extra
science classroom, which will provide workspace for
teachers and their pupils for different projects and
a physical education room for rainy days or other
indoor activities.
Like Highland Bluff, StoneBridge uses some greener
options like sensor-controlled lights and
energy-efficient light bulbs, the district's
construction coordinator Jay Yarbrough said.
The grand opening of StoneBridge is Aug. 7, the
Friday before classes start.
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