Newman Elementary Celebrates New Cafeteria Expansion and Corridor Enclosure
Written by admin, Oct 26, 2016, Comments Off
Courtesy Veronica Cantu,
Laredo, Texas-United ISD: The “Home of the Mighty Toros,” Newman Elementary School, is going to be more comfortable with the expansion of the school cafeteria and corridor enclosure – thanks to construction projects that were made possible by voters who approved the school bond in 2013.
A formal ribbon cutting ceremony was held this morning in the school’s newly expanded cafeteria. The school choir provided entertainment while students of school’s Courtesy Club welcomed special guests.
Additions and renovations at the campus include a state-of-the art kitchen, complete with a new serving line area and new food preparation equipment such as an oven, kettle and skillet that will continue to serve warm, delicious and nutritious meals to students. The new cafeteria expansion will be better prepared to serve students faster and more efficiently. The added seating space to the cafeteria will also allow Newman Elementary students, parents, faculty and staff members to enjoy various programs, events, activities for many years to come.
Moreover, the school’s open canopy and walkway that once lead from the main campus to the Pre-Kinder, Kinder and 1st grade building has now been enclosed, offering more safety, security, and protection from outdoor elements.
“These construction projects are really making a difference for our students, faculty and staff members,” said United ISD Superintendent Roberto J. Santos. “The addition and renovation projects here at Newman Elementary School are a perfect example of that.”
At the ceremony, United ISD Board member Aliza Flores-Oliveros spoke as well as David Newman, whose late father was B.P. Newman and for whom the school is named after. The Newman family has maintained close ties with the school, helping its students, faculty and staff members with various activities throughout the school year.
School principal Leticia R. Garcia, spoke at the ceremony and thanked United ISD and the community for the much needed improvements at the campus. She also took the opportunity to recognize Mary Calderon, who has been the cafeteria manager at the campus for 25 years. Additionally, the audience heard from students David Martinez and Melanie Colonel, both members of the school’s National Elementary Honor Society. Juan Cortez, Newman Elementary School parent, spoke and praised the improvements that have been made at the campus.
The Newman Elementary School Cafeteria Expansion & Corridor Enclosure Project has provided over 600 sq. ft. of new area to the cafeteria for student seating and about 2,120 sq. ft. for the state-of-the kitchen. Approximately, 1,850 sq. ft. was added for the corridor enclosure. The building’s structure is comprised of load bearing concrete masonry unit walls on spread footings and steel structure for the roof. The building is a full masonry veneer building which matches the existing buildings facade. The roof is constructed from a seamless standing seam metal roof system.
