In what marks a new chapter for Paradise Hills Elementary School, the dirt was turned over in a ceremony that signals the beginning of a substantial upgrade to its facilities. With a cast including San Diego Unified Interim Deputy Superintendent Nicole DeWitt, San Diego's mayor Todd Gloria, Board of Education Trustee Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, alongside students, parents, and community members, the school's Whole Site Modernization and Joint-Use Field project officially got underway on Wednesday. San Diego Unified School District reported the new developments will encompass many educational and recreational improvements.
The comprehensive project envisioned for the school includes the construction of a new two-story classroom and student services facility, which is to replace an older decomposed granite field with a fresh grass playfield, classroom renovations, enhanced security measures, updated signage, and the removal of portable classrooms. Additionally, there will be new play and shade structures, as well as a new solar energy system designed to shade outdoor play areas. Interim Deputy Superintendent DeWitt said, as per the San Diego Unified School District, “We are passionate about student well-being and success and this is a reflection of that commitment.”
The new facility will be strategically placed along Alleghany Street, serving as the new main entrance to the campus. It will house modern classrooms, collaborative workspaces, a lobby, and student support offices. A dedicated student pick-up and drop-off area is also in the works, aiming to streamline the entrance experience and ensure a secure primary entry point.
According to a post on Mayor Gloria's Instagram account, the "Play All Day" initiative is part of a wider effort to bolster public recreation opportunities in San Diego neighborhoods, which has borne this joint-use project between the San Diego Unified district and the city. Mayor Gloria expressed excitement for the project, saying, "Through partnerships like this, we’re expanding access to quality learning environments and parks."
