By PAUL BOOTH
The Neptune Township Board of Education and central administration held a dedication and open house ceremony Saturday to officially introduce the newly constructed Midtown Community Elementary School. The 145,000 square-foot, three-story facility, complete with a rooftop garden environmental classroom, Inter-generational Tutoring Center, Student Health and Wellness Suites and a Neptune Township Police Department Safety Command Center, opened its doors to students this September.
“This is a special day,” said Midtown Elementary Principal Jerard Terrell. “Not too long ago our students and teachers were in educational trailers and now we have this beautiful school.”
Midtown Elementary students had spent the last two years in trailers in an adjacent lot while the new school was being constructed.
Midtown Community Elementary School is described as a “green, resilient and flexible building” that incorporates geo-thermal heating and cooling, waterless urinals, advanced technology lighting and a host of other amenities that promote sustainable design, energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. The Neptune Township Board of Education has applied for Platinum level L.E.E.D. (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. If awarded, it would be the only Platinum L.E.E.D. certified public school in New Jersey.
“It’s nice to see where all our tax money is going,” said Neptune resident Barbara Nixon who attended the event. “And I have to say, this is beautiful.”
“It’s a beautiful facility,” said Susan Slay, whose daughter attends the school. “She’s loving it here,” Slay said. “She followed the gifted and talented program here from Gables School and she couldn’t be happier.”
Coaster Photo
At the dedication of the new Midtown Community Elementary School held Saturday in Neptune, students met Dr. Bernard, a mascot from Jersey Shore University Medical Center, whose goal is to help teach youngsters about the importance of good health. The newly constructed school will house a district wide Student Health and Wellness suite manned by JSUMC staff.
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