Elmhurst District 205 officials formally opened the newly built Field Elementary School with a ribbon cutting Wednesday, Aug. 16, that drew a crowd of students, parents, district staff and contractors involved in the project.
Superintendent Keisha Campbell and school board President Athena Arvinitis wielded the oversized scissors to cut a blue ribbon, assisted by several board members and Field Principal Heidi Thomas.
Campbell delighted all by encouraging a crowd of excited kids to yell their enthusiasm for the new learning space.
“Louder, I can’t hear you!” Campbell said after the first round.
In her remarks, Campbell also thanked the other District 205 schools where Field students moved during the yearlong construction period, as well as area neighbors, who put up with construction traffic, occasional road blocks and the general noise and commotion of construction.
The new school opened to students on Aug. 17, the day after the ceremony.
The 91-year old Field school, at the southeast corner of Emroy and North Avenues, was one of the oldest in the district before its demolition after school ended in summer of 2022.
The new 81,000-square foot Field includes 24 dedicated classrooms, several flexible spaces used for collaboration and small groups, secured main entrances and outdoor instruction areas.
The new school includes a unique ‘learning stair’ in the center of the building for group presentations, one-on-one instruction and overflow seating from the cafeteria.
The school site was reconfigured for a more efficient student drop-off and pickup process, while maintaining ample play and recreation space. That playground space includes a giant economy-size xylophone, presumably for musically inclined playground users.
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The site includes underground storm detention vaults beneath the parking and play areas, to collect stormwater from the roof, pavement and permeable parking stalls.
Construction of the new school included low-emitting construction materials, natural lighting and recycling demolition debris from the old school.
Construction of the new school was paid for as part of the $168.5 million referendum approved by Elmhurst voters in late 2018. The plan then included about $30 million for construction of the new Field and a similar amount for a new school to replace the aging Lincoln Elementary School. Other planned spending included upgrades throughout the district, including improved security entrances for district schools.
The new school wasn’t open for public tours at the ribbon cutting, but the District has scheduled a community open house for Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon.
More information on the district is available at Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205: (elmhurst205.org)
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.