Mount Vernon School celebrates completion of $1 million renovation project
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (January 18, 2019) — The Mount Vernon City School District recently completed a $1 million renovation of the auditorium at Columbus School, located at 455 North High Street. The project included the addition of surround-sound, theatre-style seating and a functioning balcony for the first time since 2002. The Columbus School community unveiled the state-of-the-art auditorium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.
Part of the District’s 20/20 Vision Capital Improvement Project, the recent renovation was the first for the space since the building was constructed in 1924. Additional plans for renovation include preserving original fresco murals from 1934 by Mount Vernon artist Louise Brann.
“This renovation was designed to create a space that was more appropriate for you, more current and more useful for the kinds of programs that are going to be put in place,” said Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, addressing Columbus students. “But ultimately, it was your parents, our taxpayers, who came out and said, ‘We support what you’re doing for our children and we want to see it happen.’ And they gave us permission to get the funds together to restore this auditorium that looks absolutely magnificent.”
Following the ribbon-cutting, Columbus students in grades 1-6 gathered in the space for a Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) assembly. During the assembly, students witnessed performances by the school’s drumline and band as well as remarks consistent with the PBIS model to reinforce positive behavior from Columbus School Principal Dr. Colleen Seivright-Crawford and Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton.
During his address, Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton communicated to his audience of elementary and middle school students the importance of treating the new space with respect. The same message was reiterated by Columbus School Principal Dr. Seivright-Crawford.
“This is the first time in over a decade that almost the entire school can fit in the auditorium because now our balcony is operational. So, as an entire school community, we’re all together,” said Dr. Seivright-Crawford. “Beginning on Tuesday, the auditorium will be used as a morning location for students in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6. We just went over the slides for the expectations when you’re in this auditorium.”
The slides referenced by Dr. Seivright-Crawford outlined the Columbus C.A.R.E.S. guidelines: Cooperation, Accountable, Respect, Exceptional, Scholars.
This newly-renovated space will be used for daily morning gatherings, where all students and staff will convene. In addition, the family and friends of Columbus School’s Class of 2020 will gather in this space for the first graduation of the newly-reconfigured K-8 school.
About Mount Vernon City School District
With more than 8,000 students in 16 schools, the Mount Vernon City School District is committed to providing a quality education to its children as well as developing programs that meet the diverse academic and social needs of its students.
