May 18, 2023
By Kelli Gile, WVUSD Office of Community Resources
DIAMOND BAR, CA—Walnut Valley USD proudly marked completion of the new Multipurpose and Classroom Building at Walnut Elementary during a May 17 ceremony.
“We are very excited to finally be in this room!” exclaimed Principal Robert Chang.
The nearly $7.3 million construction project was funded by voter support of Bond Measure WV.
The new 7,500 square-foot building features three 21st century learning classrooms: one Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and two 5th grade, with adjoining multipurpose room.
“This building really symbolizes growth on our campus,” said Chang noting that the school’s enrollment will exceed 700 students next year.
“We are staying current by providing a new TK program and new classrooms for our elite Dual Language Immersion (DLI),” Chang added.
Parents, teachers, staff, students, community members, and local officials joined the ribbon-cutting event.
“This new MPR is a wonderful accomplishment for Walnut Elementary,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor of the plan years in the making.
“I want to thank the community for your support!”
“Most importantly, our students get to experience this!” shared Board President Cindy Ruiz of the facility that stands ready to serve the growing needs of the student body and flourishing academic programs.
“This new building demonstrates how our community truly embodies the “Kids First” motto,”said fifth grade DLI English teacher Chris Moon who will be moving into a new classroom.
The spacious multipurpose room will be beneficial for events including the school’s annual Lunar New Year celebration.
“We will now have bright, open, air conditioned, indoor space for practices, with no more performance distractions – whether it’s the sun, rain, or train!” Moon said.
“This new building will be the heart of so many new events and opportunities for our students. And I look forward to all the memories they will be making!”
“I can’t wait to get the keys to my brand-new classroom and begin setting up the class environment for my 24 four-year-old students,” said the inaugural TK teacher Jennifer Ghaneian.
“We are grateful to have this beautiful space for our students to start their educational journey.”
“We have grown so much that a whole new building needed to be added to our campus!” exclaimed Elementary Learning Specialist Jill Takayama who began sitting in on planning meetings with her baby, Lily, who is now nine years old.
The new building represents a lifetime of planning – from phone banking to fundraising, and countless after-school meetings, Takayama shared.
“My daughter is one of the many students who will have a chance to enjoy this place,” she tearfully added.
“Thank you for being a part of our journey so that children, like my own, can call Walnut Elementary home.”
After the ceremony, visitors toured the expansive state-of-the-art facility with open concept ceilings.
“I hope the future kids will make great memories here!” said fifth grade DLI student speaker Aleya Wilds who effortlessly greeted the audience in Mandarin.
“Our fifth graders are the first class to graduate in the MPR,” said student speaker Viviana Giannone.
“I’m glad we get to see what it looks like and spend our last few days as elementary students here!”
Shown:
Blue Ribbon Day! Walnut Valley USD marks official opening of the new Walnut Elementary Multipurpose and Classroom Building on May 17.
Grand Opening! District officials, staff, and students celebrate Walnut Elementary new Multipurpose and Classroom Building on May 17.
Thank You Community! Walnut Elementary teacher Jennifer Ghaneian shows off her new TK classroom.