D38 celebrated the soon-to-be-underway construction of a new facility for our Home School Enrichment Academy (HSEA) with a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 29.
Despite a chilly afternoon, the outdoor event drew quite a crowd. In attendance were members of HSEA and D38 leadership teams, HSEA students and teachers, HSEA families, construction partners, and local media.
D38 Director of Communications Amy Matisek emceed the event that included messages from a number of guest speakers. D38 Board of Education Vice President Dr. Patti Shank was the first to address the crowd, followed by HSEA Principal Julie Jadomski, and D38 Superintendent Amber Whetstine. Finally, HSEA fifth grader Ellie Torres spoke to the crowd to give a student's perspective on what this new facility will mean.
Superintendent Whetstine spoke to the values that this new facility and the HSEA represents, and how choice in education is such an important aspect of what D38 offers.
“Today is a celebration of what Lewis-Palmer School District 38 is all about. We are a community that values education, and with that value comes an understanding that offering a variety of educational options is essential for our students and families," Whetstine said.
Principal Jadomski spoke to the strength of the connections among the HSEA families and how the success of the program is thanks to the commitment of everyone involved.
"We have families and a supportive “Husky Pack” that believe in what our program offers, and they trust us as a partner in their child’s education," Jadomski said. "I am so thankful for our village. Everyone here helped turn our vision into a reality, and I can’t wait for us to open the doors to students and staff. Thank you for bringing the village out today," she added.
The new HSEA facility will sit adjacent to the D38 administration building. A new playground will also be built to accompany the new facility thanks to a Play & Park Structures Gateway to Play Grant.
Superintendent Whetstine said work will begin soon on the new facility, with the goal of having the HSEA program moved in and ready to welcome students for the fall semester next August.
“We anticipate our general contractor getting started on their work in February. Our foundation will be laid in April, and the actual building will be in place in June with final inspections taking place in July," Whetstine said.
To learn more, visit D38's Home School Enrichment Academy.
