New elementary school named for David Harrison
March 17, 2009
David Harrison Elementary School was selected March 17 by Springfield Public Schools Board of Education as the name for the elementary school currently under construction in southwest Springfield. The school, which will serve students in kindergarten through fourth grade, will open in August 2009.
Three names were presented to the school board during its study session March 3 for their consideration. David Harrison Elementary, Dogwood Elementary and Kildee Park Elementary were among about 40 suggestions submitted by students and families in the attendance area.
Board members agreed naming an elementary school after Harrison is especially appropriate given his long-standing service to Springfield Public Schools. A Springfield businessman and author of more than 70 children's books, Harrison was instrumental in organizing the Teacher of the Year Banquet and initiating the Sky High for Reading campaign.
His efforts also resulted in the creation of Reading Roundup, a fundraising campaign which added countless books to Springfield Public Schools libraries. Harrison also served on the Springfield Board of Education from 1982 to 1988 and held the offices of president and vice president of the board.
Preliminary enrollment projections for the 2009-2010 school year indicate David Harrison Elementary School will have two classes each for grades kindergarten through third and one class for fourth grade. Ultimately, the school can accommodate up to four classes of each grade for a total enrollment of 435 students.
The school is open to transfer for students who currently attend another Springfield Public Schools elementary school. A transfer request form may be obtained at any elementary school office or at Kraft Administrative Center, 940 N. Jefferson Ave.
The school will also devote a classroom to a tuition-based preschool program which will serve up to 16 four-year-olds. Fees for Junior Kindergarten will range from $595 per month to $290 per month depending on the number of days a student attends each week. For more information or to request an enrollment packet, contact preschool teacher Julee Curry at 523-4832 or via e-mail at jcurry@spsmail.org .
All parents are encouraged to attend the school’s first PTA meeting, which will be held Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. at McBride Elementary School.
Classes at David Harrison Elementary School will begin each day at 8:10 a.m. and dismiss at 2:55 p.m.
The 58,980-square-foot school, situated on 72 acres northwest of the intersection of Weaver Road and Golden Avenue, is being constructed at a cost of $10 million, funded by the 2006 bond initiative. The project architect is Beringer, Ciaccio, Dennell, Mabry. The contractor is DeWitt & Associates Inc. Construction should be substantially complete in June 2009.
View updates about the school's construction.