River Valley Schools celebrating new elementary building

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river-valley-elementary-500x297580479-1

The new River Valley Elementary School will be celebrated with a dedication and tours this month.

River Valley School District Interim Superintendent Dave Campbell tells us the building is about two years in the making. It’s an addition to the middle and high school building in Three Oaks, meaning all district students will now be under one roof.

Campbell says this means increased efficiency.

“It really opens up opportunities for collaboration, cross-age kind of work that’s well-supervised and effective,” Campbell said. “It’s easy for staff, shared staff who don’t have to drive from one school to another. They can just walk down the hall.”

Campbell says the new $12 million building was paid for with a bond and district funds. It replaces the district’s aging elementary facilities, Chikaming Elementary and Three Oaks Elementary.

“It was just time. When you look around at the other schools, a lot of kids are learning in far newer schools, and now our elementary school is right up there among the finest in the county, and the kids here at River Valley deserve that.”

Campbell says the old buildings will be sold. Chikaming Elementary is already for sale, and Three Oaks will be soon.

River Valley School District will hold a dedication and celebration of the new school on Monday, October 16 at 6 p.m. Residents can tour the building from 5:30 to 6 and then again after the ceremony. The ceremony will feature the River Valley Marching Band, student speakers, the school board, and principals.

Everyone’s welcome.