On Thursday, April 20, at 5 p.m., the Clover Park School District (CPSD) hosted the grand opening celebration of the Evergreen Elementary School on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, student performances, presentations and self-guided tours of the school.

According to CPSD superintendent Debbie LeBeau, "Washington state is home to more than 52,000 children who have at least one parent serving in the military.  We are proud of our military-connected students and honor them for their resiliency every day, and especially during April, the Month of the Military Child.  While their parents are serving our country, we are providing their children with a quality education in a state-of-the-art facility made possible through strong partnerships at the local, state and federal level."

Grand opening ceremony at Evergreen Elementary School. Photo credit: Clover Park School District
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Evergreen Elementary School is the final new elementary school built on JBLM. Opening Jan. 3, the school's current enrollment is 526 students. The school serves students from preschool through 5th grade and its capacity is 761.  BCRA designed the school which is equipped to accommodate special-needs students. There are specially designed classrooms and therapy suites. In addition, the students are sure to enjoy custom-built playgrounds and other amenities.  Skanska began building the school in the spring of 2015.

The CPSD worked at both state and federal levels to ensure funding for the project. Funding was provided through support from Washington state legislative leaders in Washington, D.C. and federal funding from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA). CPSD worked with Washington state's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to utilize some of its available funding from Washington state's Capital Construction Assistance program.

For the military children at JBLM that call Evergreen Elementary their school, all they know is they have a shiny new place to call, "My School".