STUDENTS LIVE THEIR GUIDING PRINCIPLES THROUGH THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THEIR NEW SCHOOL

Children and learning were the central focus to a unique groundbreaking ceremony

Salt Lake City, UT – Only six years after moving into their current space at 668 South 1300 East, The McGillis School ceremoniously broke ground at 6:00 P.M. on June 2, 2009 on a 59,000 square foot addition to accommodate the rapid expansion and growth of the school. However, government officials, gold-tipped shovels and suit and tie were not the focal point of this usually traditional ceremony. Rather, Mayor Peter Corroon and Senator Ross Romero will exemplify one of the guiding principles of the school, having respect for all, by sharing the groundbreaking responsibilities with the students and joining the families in celebration.

McGillis students have been truly learning about the school’s guiding principles during the preparation for the event, including busily painting shovels to represent the principles: giving to others, repairing the world, doing good and kind deeds, having respect for all, and learning for the sake of learning.

The McGillis School is expanding its middle school to accommodate two classes per grade and is adding a kindergarten to their elementary education program for the start of 2010 school year. Currently 265 students attend the first through eighth grade school. In 2010 the school will have two classes each in kindergarten through eighth grades with projected enrollment of 314 students.

“We are pleased to partner with Dick and Joanne McGillis and the entire McGillis School community to build facilities to support our already robust program,” said Head of School Matt Culberson. “Six years ago the current space that was restored felt spacious and it is a true statement of the education offered at The McGillis School that we need so much more.”

The addition, designed to LEED standards, will house twelve additional classrooms and will enable the school to enrich their already robust principle-oriented curriculum by adding programs such as after-school care; additional arts, music and theatre courses; athletics with a new gymnasium and locker rooms; and a multi-media library. “I am proud that the facility reflects the school values,” says Glenn Anderson, GA Architects, LLC. “By designing the building to LEED standards, we are ‘repairing the world,’ and the students get to participate.”

Eckman & Mitchell Construction’s CEO, Gary Eckman, announced that the construction will be complete in August 2010. “This building is a historic piece of the Salt Lake Valley and we are proud to work closely with the McGillis Family to keep the original character of the building while expanding to meet the current needs.”

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The McGillis School was originally established in 1990 when a group of dedicated parents founded the Jewish Community Center Elementary School. The school became independent in 2002. Today, the school community encompasses students, faculty and administration from diverse backgrounds who learn and grow together through a secular curriculum and the support of friendship and respect.

Children at the McGillis School
shared in groundbreaking responsibilities