Rowe thanked the citizens of Hamilton for their cooperation in the current building project, which replaced 13 elementary school buildings in various states of disrepair with eight new, state-of-the-art facilities.
“We couldn’t do what we do every day, ensuring that our children have high-quality instruction, without your help,” she said.
Brookwood’s color scheme is “spring,” Rowe said, which couldn’t be more appropriate.
“Spring is the time of growth and development, seen as a time of renewal and of new life,” she said. “Our Brookwood students are like spring flowers, ready to blossom under our guidance.”
Rowe recognized Susan Wilson, the woman who previously owned the property that Brookwood now occupies.
“She comes from a long line of educators,” Rowe said, “and when she was approached about selling her land, it was important for her to see a school built here.”
Superintendent Janet Baker said that she was awed by the location of the school on a wooded hillside.
“What struck me was the uniqueness of the site and how beautiful the school was nestled in here,” she said. “The population at Brookwood is unique, too, because family, students and staff from three elementary schools have come together to make up the Brookwood family.”
Other speakers included George Jonson, president of the Hamilton City School District Board of Education, Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller, who presented Jonson with a city flag for the school, and Rick Swart of the Ohio School Facilities Commission.
Second- and fourth-graders debuted their new “Brookwood School Song” and performed a tune about “What I’m Thankful For,” holding up signs pointing out the features of the new building.
After the sixth-grade leadership team assisted in the official ribbon cutting, Baker said, “On behalf of the Board of Education, as superintendent we declare Brookwood Elementary School officially dedicated.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.
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