47ABC gets inside look at brand new Showell Elementary School
BERLIN, Md. – After nearly two years of construction the brand new Showell Elementary School is open and welcoming students through its doors. Principal Diane Shorts says this school will be an asset to the community. “This is my 21st year here at Showell as an administrator of some sort. To be able to be in this building 20 years ago is just overwhelming and exciting,” said Principal Shorts.
The smell of fresh paint, newly waxed floors, and technology are just some of the hallmarks of the brand new Showell Elementary School. Principal Shorts says one of the most exciting things about the new building is having all her students in one place. “As a principal I think it’s so wonderful that we are under one roof. At the old Showell Elementary we could not have our fourth graders here and we had our second graders all outside,” said Principal Shorts.
The new school boasts features that help make students have a better school experience, like using color and design to break up large hallways and a sensory room. Plus, the school’s design aims to make the building more environmentally friendly, like a cistern to collect rain water that waters plants on the property.
Worcester County Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert says construction went smoothly and was finished on time despite the challenge of COVID-19. “We did not really have any challenges other than COVID. Of course we were able to work through that. Construction never stopped. We were working on March 13th right through the end,” said Tolbert.
The new building is nearly double the size of the old school. Principal Shorts says the large space is helping to get students back in school safely amid a pandemic. “We’ve been able to smoothly bring back over 500 of our kids. They are socially distanced and safe in the building,” said Principal Shorts.
Tolbert adds the project couldn’t have been completed without the support of local leaders. “We’re just ecstatic with the way the building turned out. It’s a great resource for the community and for generations of students to come. It’s another example of the strong partnership with the board and the county commissioners,” said Tolbert.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony had to be postponed because of COVID-19. But Worcester County Public School officials say that they’ll be announcing information on that soon.
