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SCC, East Orange Educators Celebrate Opening Of New Langston Hughes Elementary School
East Orange, NJ (December 1, 2006) - East Orange School District and New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) officials held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting today for the new Langston Hughes Elementary School, which opened to students in September. Students, parents and residents, along with state and local officials, were on hand for the ceremony at the new school on Rhode Island Avenue that is providing 21st century learning opportunities for 515 students in pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade and will serve as a focal point for a variety of community educational and social activities.

Scott Weiner, Chief Executive Officer of the SCC, remarked, "We are proud to have contributed to the creation of the new Langston Hughes Elementary School. This is a significant asset for present and future generations of students and residents of East Orange. This project could not have happened without the ongoing collaboration and support of the school district, local and state officials and the Department of Education."

The new 92,146-square-foot facility is a Community School, with a gym, a cafeteria, a library, an auditorium and a computer lab located on the first floor for access by students during the school day and by the community at large after school hours. The public access areas can be securely isolated from the academic areas in the rest of the school building when necessary; additional safeguards include interior and exterior security cameras. The school has 30 general classrooms and classrooms for computer technology, writing, foreign language, art and music. There also are a science demonstration lab, a publishing lab and a graphic arts room. Moreover, the building is designed to maximize cost-effective energy efficiency and environmental sustainability under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines.

Following the ceremony, there were tours of the new facility, which will help to ease overcrowding, enhance academic achievement and provide much-needed early childhood educational programs for 3- and 4-year-olds in the East Orange district.



SCC funded and managed the new school project. It was designed by NJ K-12, LLC and built by VRH Construction. Don Todd Associates managed the project for the SCC.

The new elementary school replaces the original Langston Hughes Elementary School, which was built in 1925 and now will serve as swing space. The new school was completed in August 2006 and opened to students September 7.

     

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