Groundbreaking Ceremony
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November 18, 1999 was a clear, sunny day--one of those perfect fall days that make it so pleasant to be outside at that time of year. For the several hundred children and adults gathered on the hillside between Valhalla Middle/High School and the District Office, there was another reason to be happy about being outside. They were all there to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Kensico School.
District Superintendent Dr. Tom Kelly began the morning by welcoming and introducing the many members of the school and community who were instrumental in bringing this project into being, and then reminding all present that it was the children of Valhalla that this was truly for: the first graders there who would be the first class to go all through the new building, the third graders who would be its first graduating class, the members of the Band and Ensemble Chorus, who as middle schoolers might take advantage of the sports facilities of the new school.
CAS Principal Sal Miele then took the podium to give some background on the name for the school, and how Kensico is a name that came to us from the earliest settlers and the Indian chief the land that is now Valhalla was purchased from. Also speaking was Board President Bill McGuinn, who noted that he was a kindergartener in 1960 when the District purchased the Kips Bay property with the intention of building a new elementary school. He thought then it was a good idea, and figured he would do "anything he could to help out." Little did he know... He and Board member Greg Pappalardo joined in announcing that the Kensico School gymnasium would be named for former coach, teacher, principal, and superintendent Frank Ehrhart. |
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The program then moved to several performances--an adaptation of "Down by the Bay" sung by the first grade, an adaptation of "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad" sung by the third grade, several pieces by the CAS Band, and several pieces by the Ensemble Chorus. Music teacher Judy Bartak wrote the adaptations and directed all of the vocal performances, and the Band was led by teacher John Santora. |
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| Then, finally, what everyone was there for--the row of over a dozen gold (painted) shovels were to be put to use! Each of the Board members, plus Mr. Miele, Dr. Kelly, Mr. Wolfson ("the money man" to VRS's students), the architect, and several others were joined by representatives of each class from kindergarten to 5th grade to officially break ground on the new school. Although more than several of the students attending thought beforehand that there would be large earthmoving equipment there doing some serious digging, that part of the project will have to await the coming of warm weather in the spring! |
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