Opinion: Garrison Will Continue to Thrive With Coming Facility Investments

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by Nathaniel Beers, Chief Operating Officer at D.C. Public Schools

Thank you to Elizabeth Nicoletti for the recent letter about the modernization of Garrison Elementary School.

Ms. Nicoletti shares what so many families love about Garrison: great teaching, great curriculum and a diverse student body, among other facets of the school. Mayor Bowser agrees that Garrison is in need of modernization, and we look forward to making critical enhancements over the next two summers.

With an investment of nearly $28 million for building modernizations and improvements to the fields and playgrounds, we are confident that Garrison will serve all families that attend the school. This summer, we expect to improve the school entrance, walkways and guardrails, as well as stabilize the field, among other improvements. When students come back to school for School Year 2017-2018, they will be greeted with modernized classrooms, a new entrance and welcome area, a modernized library and media center, new elevators, playgrounds, fields, and more.

Our mission is to open our doors to every student from every corner of the city. Mayor Bowser heard loud and clear that families were tired of the politics that outlined the order of modernizing our schools. Providing equity to that process is another way we will serve all our kids with beautiful buildings where children can thrive.

Garrison Elementary School surely deserves to be modernized, and this summer we will begin to make the critical changes that will build on the wonderful things already happening at Garrison.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Borderstan.

Photo via Facebook/GarrisonES