Construction activity at the elementary campus has been progressing noticeably.

“After months of planning and preparation, construction activity at the elementary campus has finally gotten to the point in which observers can see visible progress,” said Superintendent Dr. Buck Ford.

This week has been particularly active. Demolition crews took down the east and west add-on classrooms that had been a part of the historical building’s front façade since the 1950s. The demolition exposes front views of the east and west wings that haven’t been revealed in over half a century.

“The demolition has been going great,” said Vanguard site superintendent Bill Burrow. “We took one building down in an hour-and-a-half, and the other one down in forty-five minutes.”

The demolition of the east add-on classroom was witnessed by the third grade classes, who have been keeping an on-going journal of the campus’ construction activities. Their reactions capture a range of emotions.

• “It was kind of sad. My Mom and Dad both went to school in that building.”—Dawson Cox

• “It was awesome how the roof fell down and crushed everything!”—Ty Adkinson

• “It was exciting! I had never seen a building being demolished.”—Savannah McGrath

• “I was sad watching it fall. My sisters and me all went to mother’s day out in that building.”—Bruno Lopez

In addition to the demolition, crews began erecting the steel frame for the new cafeteria.

“Cafeteria construction is going well,” said Burrow. “The steel frame should be up by the end of next week. Then, masons should begin laying the blocks at the cafeteria.”