Rockwall ISD celebrates groundbreaking of new Dobbs Elementary

Rockwall ISD celebrates groundbreaking of new Dobbs Elementary

(ROCKWALL, TX – March 10, 2017) The oldest elementary school in Rockwall broke ground this morning on its new school building opening to students in the fall of 2018.

Teachers and students of Dobbs Elementary joined city officials and Rockwall ISD board members for a special ceremony celebrating the groundbreaking of the new Dobbs Elementary School.

“Dobbs Elementary was built in 1970 and over the years, countless students have embarked their education here,” said Superintendent Dr. JJ Villarreal. “Dobbs has been the foundation to a future that led them to college, or the military, or to be productive citizens in our workforce. It is with great pride that we celebrate today’s groundbreaking ceremony for our school district and community, but most importantly for the children who will walk these halls.”

Rockwall ISD Board President Linda Duran provided a brief background on the effort that made ths through their study, inquiring, touring and discussion that a facility bond recommendation came forward. This resulted in the development of a bond program that was approved by ove new Dobbs Elementary School a reality. In 2015, a group of citizens met over the course of several months studying the facilities of the school district. It waer 65 percent of the community in November 2015.

The Dobbs Elementary School Choir perform during the groundbreaking ceremony.

With the bond program comes a new 92,000 square-foot Dobbs Elementary which will be ready in the fall 2018 for a capacity of 756 students. The new school building will be built on the site of the former Rockwall Boys and Girls Club building and the very first Rockwall elementary school.

According to Duran, the new school will look a bit like that original Rockwall elementary school.

“We’re trying to keep some of the materials, the bricks, flooring in that original gym where we had a million basketball games and every single pep rally through the state championship,” Duran said. “So there’s a lot of memories that go into this site. I want to thank VLK Architects for their design which is incredible, and of course they listened to the teachers and staff, so that had a lot to do with it.”

“There have been 47 years of learning at Dobbs Elementary, 47 years of joy and children’s laughter, and I believe this is the dream of Howard Dobbs,” said Dobbs Elementary Principal Dr. Ruth Johnson. “I think this is what he envisioned for this school, and I would like to think that I am carrying on his work,”

Speaking on behalf of the Dobbs Elementary student body, Dobbs sixth-grader Jaxon Stuart said the school has taught him how to be a true leader. “Dobbs teaches that being a leader means working hard, doing my best showing leadership even when no one is watching. Even though I won’t get to attend the new Dobbs Elementary as a student, I’m excited for the opportunities it will bring for other students. I will always be proud to call Dobbs my elementary school campus, and I look forward to seeing the new Dobbs.”

Following the ceremony, attendees were invited for a reception in the school cafeteria where they were treated to cookies and a performance by the Ballet Folklorico. Dobbs Elementary memorabilia including yearbooks and picture books were also available for folks to browse in the library, with the RHS String Quartet providing musical entertainment.

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Photos by Austin Wells and Richard Redig.

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