Here's an early look at Pueblo D60's two newest elementary schools
Pueblo School District 60 recently celebrated the completed construction of new buildings for the Franklin School of Innovation at 1315 Horseshoe Dr., and Sunset Park Elementary School at 110 University Circle.
Costing about $25 million each, the two new elementary schools replace the now-demolished Franklin School of Innovation and Sunset Park buildings constructed in the 1950s. Aside from having more polished looks compared to the old schools, the new schools have improved safety features and are built to accommodate 21st century technology.
Sunset Park held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 10. Franklin School of Innovation held its ribbon-cutting ceremony of Friday, Aug. 11. Students will be begin class at the new schools on Aug. 15.
"Excited is the only word I can think of," said Dana DiTomaso-Junkman, principal of the Franklin School of Innovation. "We just can't wait to show the kids."
Modern technology abounds at both elementary schools
Features of the new schools include solar lighting, classrooms connected to "learning pod" commons areas by garage doors and sliding window covers on doors for safety. Both schools also have large libraries with electrical outlets hanging from the ceilings for Google Chromebooks, makerspaces and stages with ample backstage space.
Sunset Park, a Leader in Me school with a news program, plans to house a green screen for announcements in its new building. Franklin School of Innovation, a Project Lead the Way school that places an emphasis on STEM, will house 3D printers. Other features in both schools include sensory rooms and private collaborative spaces for teachers in each learning pod.
"We didn't have any spaces that were actually private for teachers in the last school," said John Hull, principal of Sunset Park. "Everything was up for grabs."
New schools are part of a five-school bond project
Franklin School of Innovation and Sunset Park are the third and fourth school buildings constructed in Pueblo D60 this year.
Ribbon-cuttings for new Centennial High School and East High School buildings were held in May. A fifth new school, the Nettie S. Freed Expeditionary K-8 School at 715 W. 20th St., will hold a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. Construction of the five schools is funded through a $218 million bond approved by voters in 2018.
Attendees cutting the ribbon at the Sunset Park ceremony included Hull, members of the Pueblo D60 board, members of Pueblo D60 administrative staff, Thomas Vinci of Nunn Construction and Trina Byrd — a former Sunset Park teacher who taught at the school for 22 years. Byrd is now Pueblo D60's Exceptional Student Services generalist.
Ribbon cutters at the Franklin School of Innovation ceremony included DiTomaso-Junkman, board members, administrative staff, Brian Calhoun of RTA Architects, Jack Mousseau of MOA Architecture, Brooke Johnson of Nunn Construction and Edna Thalhamer — the school's first kindergarten teacher. Thalhamer also attended the ribbon-cutting for the original Ben Franklin Elementary School in 1954.
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo D60 celebrates construction of Sunset Park and Franklin schools
