Photo courtesy of: Sarah Derman,Public Information Officer of the Rye City School District
On Saturday, December 6, 2014, the Rye City School District held a grand opening and ribbon ceremony to unveil the new Science Wing at Rye High School.
This celebration was attended by over 150 parents, students, teachers, School District officials, and community leaders, including New York State Senator George Latimer, New York State Assemblyman Steve Otis, and Rye Mayor Joe Sack.
Rye City School’s Superintendent Dr. Frank Alvarez and Board of Education President Laura Slack thanked the community for their support in the future of Rye’s public schools.
“We appreciate the continued support from the people of Rye,” said Superintendent Dr. Frank Alvarez. “This investment, while significant, is a fiscally-astute way to accommodate the needs of our students for cutting-edge technology so that they can meet, and exceed, the high academic standards we have in place in the Rye City School District.”
Photo courtesy of:
Sarah Derman
Public Information Officer for the Rye City School District
The construction of the Science Wing was completed on time and under the original budget estimates. Rye High School students were in the building taking classes just two days after the beginning of the school year.
“Construction of the new science wing has been a tremendous undertaking and we are very pleased that it was delivered on time and under budget,” said Slack. “It could not have been done without the support of the Rye community.”
Photo: Contributed
Patricia Taylor, Rye High School Principal said, “I want to thank the Rye community, parents, teachers and staff for their support during the construction of this magnificent building. It has already made such a difference in the lives of our students and will continue to do so for years to come.”
Rye High School students led members of the public on tours of the $16.35 million building, and Science teachers demonstrated the features of their individual classrooms, while a string quartet from the High School band provided musical accompaniment for the tours. A short reception followed.
Photo courtesy of:
Sarah Derman,
Public Information Officer for the Rye City School District
What did the parents, students, teachers, School District officials, and community leaders, see in the new wing?
They saw a new two-story, 17,000-square-foot addition that includes 12 science lab/classrooms, including chemistry, biology, physics, engineering and earth science labs, and numerous other features, including wireless Internet, Smart Boards and an improved HVAC system that filters classroom air. This new Science Wing is updated technology-wise!
The wing is architecturally consistent with the existing historic 231,000 square foot building at the High School and Middle School campus.
In 2012, Rye voters approved a $16.35 million bond to finance construction of the new science wing to replace science labs dating back to the original building and to accommodate Rye’s growing student population and ensure that the District maintains its high academic standards in the field of science. Student enrollment at the High School has grown to 1,011 students, a 36 percent increase since 2006, and the District anticipates that trend will continue.
INSIDE RYE 