By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–A new soccer field and major campus upgrades are underway for Paradise Hills Elementary School students.
Joined by San Diego Unified Interim Deputy Superintendent Nicole DeWitt, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Board of Education Trustee Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, parents, and community members, students celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday for their Whole Site Modernization and Joint-Use Field project.
The project will bring a new two-story classroom and student services facility, replace the decomposed granite field with a new grass playfield, renovate existing classrooms, enhance security, replace signage, and remove portable classrooms. New play and shade structures will be installed with a new solar energy system that will provide shade over outdoor play areas.
“We are passionate about student well-being and success and this is a reflection of that commitment,” said Interim Deputy Superintendent Dewitt. “Facilities upgrades like the ones that will happen here provide high-quality learning environments and supportive spaces that are crucial to our student achievement and success.”
Located along Alleghany Street, the new classroom and student services facility will serve the main campus entryway. It will include modern general-purpose classrooms, collaborative workspaces, a lobby, and student support offices. A student pick-up/drop-off area will be created in front of the new building, and perimeter fencing will be installed to direct visitors to the secure entry point through the renovated main office.
“We are so thankful for these new buildings and we are appreciative for these new opportunities,” said 5th Grade student Adrian Barsana.
Barsana was part of a student breakdance team, which performed at the beginning of the ceremony.
The new joint-use field will include a walking/running track, a drinking fountain, play courts, and play equipment. Fencing and gates will separate it from the main campus. As part of the Play All Day partnership with the City of San Diego, the field will be accessible to the community after school hours and breaks.
To ease traffic, the entrance to the existing parking lot will be moved to Westport Street and more visitor and staff parking spaces will be added. A new student drop-off and pick-up area will also be constructed.
A Leader in Me school, Paradise Hills Elementary has served the community for 78 years. Its UTK-5th-grade students have immersive and inclusive programs, including English Learner, Second Step socio-emotional learning, music, and PrimeTime Extended Day opportunities. Paradise Hills also offers a safety patrol, a student council, and a running club.
Funding is made available through San Diego Unified School District’s capital bond improvement program, approved by local voters to improve district schools.
