By Mary O’KEEFE

Earlier this month La Crescenta Elementary School held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open its new building that replaced 14 classrooms, including bungalows, with 16 new technically advanced classrooms. A bonus is that the building has a smaller footprint than the old bungalows that were previously in place.

The playground got an update as well with the installation of a new synthetic field and some enclosed playground equipment for kindergartners. Construction was not easy on students who previously shared a field with Crescenta Valley High School. Students and teachers dealt with the construction that took a little longer than expected; however, the end result was well worth it.

Nearby neighbors also had to cope with the construction but upon its completion received an upgrade of a new water system that had to be put in for the school, which benefited the neighborhood.

The students from each class gathered items that were inserted into a time capsule including class photos, favorite music and books.

The building and new technology were funded in part through Measure S that was passed by voters in 2011, and funds from the Overcrowding Relief Grant Program.

  Mary Okeefe