Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School reopened after a two-year rebuild of the entire campus on September 2nd. During the rebuild, staff and students relocated to Butler Middle School. The rebuild was paid for by Measure K bonds. Measure K was a ballot initiative, approved in November 2008, which will allocate $1.2 billion for the building, renovation, and general improvement of schools in LBUSD. Roosevelt Elementary was originally opened in 1935, and, in homage, photos of murals, along with an original door, are displayed in the library. “We used Measure K to build one of Long Beach’s oldest schools. Roosevelt now has a community health center on campus, it is energy efficient, and has the latest technology. As it is a historic neighborhood, we’ve taken great care with the treasures from the 1930’s. I hope everyone will agree that it was well worth waiting for,” said Felton Williams, the President of the Long Beach Board of Education. Other highlights of the rebuild include two computer labs (one Mac-based and on PC-based), a playground built over a ground-level parking garage, and a multipurpose room, complete with a stage and an audio/visual alcove. “I’m thankful to those who have been a part of this project. I’m excited to see the kids’ faces when they walk through the gate and see the school. It’s like opening a Christmas present,” said Clarissa Tolentino, Roosevelt’s principal. Roosevelt Elementary grew from 64,000 square feet to nearly 100,000. The school serves 1,100 students, kindergarten through fifth grade. Measure K is also paying for Poly’s own renovated auditorium, as well as improvements for Wilson High and major renovation for Jordan High.
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