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| Walnut Grove School celebrated at groundbreaking |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 14 May 2008 | |
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It was cause for celebration. Patterson Unified School District hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for Walnut Grove School on Monday with more than 50 school officials, city officials and the public, in spite of windy conditions. Steve Charbonneau, principal of Walnut Grove, said it has taken years of preparation to see the school begin to rise from its foundations. “We believe that the child with self-esteem, an imagination and a good education can go anywhere,” Charbonneau said. “This day is not really about groundbreaking or building buildings but a celebration of what will happen as a result of all the work that has gone into making Walnut Grove happen. “At this very site, the lives of children will be positively impacted thanks to the efforts of many of you here today, and that is something to celebrate.” The school district has worked with architects, builders, landowners and the city of Patterson on the campus at Walnut and Hartley avenues.  Construction crews pour the foundatin to future classrooms at the Walnut Grove School site Monday. The school is scheduled to open in summer 2009 with 600 kindergarten-through-eighth-grade students. Photo by Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator “In the end, this has been a fantastic location for the city,” Superintendent Patrick Sweeney told the crowd as he thanked those involved with building the school. Walnut Grove in eastern Patterson is on a 24-acre campus within the approved Villages of Patterson development. Initially, 600 students from kindergarten through eighth grade will enroll in classes at the school in the summer of 2009. Initial construction includes 27 classrooms, a kitchen where food will be served, classrooms and playfields for the children. The 19,000-square foot joint-use gym is also part of the first phase of construction and will be used by the school and Patterson’s Parks and Recreation Department. Eventually, other buildings will be erected, such as the school library. The school will house just middle school students as money becomes available and the town begins to grow again. On Monday morning, Ruben Piña, school board president, said it was a day of historical significance. Walnut Grove is the first school on the east side of town, meaning children will no longer have to cross Highway 33 to get to school. “For me in particular, I am thankful and appreciative, because we are building an institution for learning where future leaders and professionals will get their basic education towards becoming productive citizens,” Piña said.  Mayor Becky Campo tests the edge of her golden shovel before Monday's groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator Mayor Becky Campo thanked Villages of Patterson builder John Ramos, whom she called an innovator, and said she was happy the city had joined with the school district on the joint-use gym. “When people work together, when agencies work together, we come up with a good product we can be proud of,” Campo said. “Some of our eastside children can enjoy the amenities of a new school.” Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools Tom Changnon, who was among officials gathered for the groundbreaking, said he was pleased to see Walnut Grove move forward with so many partnerships. “Everyone wins when you involve the school district, city officials and other agencies that share a common goal,” Changnon said.
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