Elon, ABSS celebrate 'topping out' of new Elon Elementary School

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A crane lifted into place a broad beam that will mark the main entrance to the new Elon Elementary School on Friday as leaders from Alamance-Burlington School System and Elon University gathered to celebrate the midway point of construction for the new school. 

The “topping out” ceremony for the new school on Walker Road north of Elon’s campus is a traditional celebration in the construction of new buildings to honor the work of those who have made the project possible and to bring good luck to the building once it’s complete. Historically, the topping out ceremony includes the placing of a final structural beam into place, with an evergreen tree or branches attached.

On Friday, the entryway beam was topped by magnolia branches from the site of the current Elon Elementary School as well as oak branches to symbolize the partnership that has made the new school possible. Elon University takes its name from the Hebrew word for “oak.” The beam, signed by many of those present, carried messages such as “Go forth and learn,” “Excellence in education,” and “Stronger forward.”

“We’re thrilled to be able to stand in front of this emerging building,” Elon President Connie Ledoux Book said to those gathered. “We look forward to making history when we open this school in the fall of 2019.”

Leading the ceremony Friday were officers from the Elon University Student Council — President Cohen Gresham, Vice President Eamon Hipps and Secretary Ben Vincent. They explained the significance of the topping out ceremony, which has its roots in ancient Egypt, and of the selection of the magnolia and oak branches to place upon the beam. 

“Today we are joining our old school with our new school,” Vincent explained. 

The new school is the results of a partnership between the university and the school system under which Elon is building the new school for the system. Once the school is complete, Elon will transfer ownership to the school system, which will then transfer the existing Elon Elementary property to the university. 

Book explained that the partnership to build the new school adds to a list of connections between Elon and the surrounding community, such as the “It Takes a Village” Project, Elon Academy and the partnerships fostered by the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement. 

Allison Gant, chair of the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education, said the new school wouldn’t be possible without the historic collaboration and hard work of many to ensure an idea became a reality.

“This very special public-private partnership is so important to our community,” said Allison Gant, chair of the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education. “This project is a testament to Elon’s commitment to our community and public education.”

The new school is modeled after George C. Simkins Jr. Elementary School in Greensboro and is being built by general contractor Samet Corp. The 94,500-square-foot school plan includes classroom wings with 34 classrooms and space for music, computer, science, art, teacher workrooms and resource rooms; a multipurpose room and cafeteria with a full-service kitchen; a media center; an administration wing with nine offices, conference rooms, tutor rooms and teachers’ lounge; and a self-contained wing with three classrooms and two resource rooms. It will replace a school built on East Haggard Avenue in 1953. 

The relocation of the school north of the Elon campus will help alleviate traffic congestion on heavily traveled Haggard Avenue and will create a safer environment for families who pick up and drop off their children. Elon plans to use the school property as the site of a future quad with residential and academic facilities. 

To close the ceremony, which also featured remarks by Elon Mayor Pro Tem Ron Klepcyk and Kenneth Grube of Samet Corp., Elon Elementary Principal Jack Davern spoke about the excitement of creating a new learning environment for local students. 

“We look forward to bringing this new campus to life in August,” Davern said.