The Early Learning Center Gets a Progress Report
The new Early Learning Center (ELC), as it is now officially called, is progressing nicely. The ELC is being constructed adjacent to Holmes Junior High School and is scheduled for completion the first week of August.
The ELC Building Construction is Right on Track
According to Executive Director for Facilities and Operations Tony Rossi, the ELC is on schedule to be completed by the first week of August and will open for CCSD59’s early learning students for the new 2015- 2016 school year.
Interior framing, electrical rough-ins, finishes, flooring, glazing, permanent water detention, and interior play areas are currently being worked on. As the next weeks pass, final building finishes will start being applied.
Mr. Rossi stated, “We are extremely pleased with the progress of the important work of constructing the Early Learning Center, and we are really looking forward to seeing our youngest students fill the hallways for the first time.”
Michele Ramsey Named First Principal of the Early Learning Center
Equally important to the completion of the building is the development of a successful staff. On April 27, the Board of Education approved the assignment of Michele Ramsey as the new principal of the Early Learning Center.
Mrs. Ramsey, who had served as the principal of Ridge Family Center for Learning for the last three years, will be the first principal for the new Early Learning Center. She began her new role on July 1, 2015.
Mrs. Ramsey brings many valuable years of leadership experience to the brand new addition to District 59, and she is looking forward to this new chapter of her career with CCSD59.
“I am very excited for this opportunity as it brings me back to my roots- early childhood education,” she said. “While Ridge will always have a special place in my heart, I am very much looking forward to serving the students, staff, and families at the ELC. The 2015-16 school year is looking very bright!”
New Website Launched and Mascot Released
The Early Learning Center also has its own website, which has officially launched. It can be viewed at elc.ccsd59.org.
To highlight the connection of the ELC to Holmes Junior High on the campus, the new ELC mascot is the junior hawk.