The Brewington Family Lower School Nears Completion!
The beautiful Lower School complex whose groundbreaking took place in icy weather and which was begun in the snow is nearing graceful completion. Through its glass windows you can see the other landmarks on the growing campus. Teachers are thrilled at spacious classrooms with roomy cupboards and areas for music, the arts, and laboratories of all kinds. Plans are unfolding for an exciting interactive campus with personal netbooks for students in grades 2-5. Watch closely because the buildings change every day. Lower School students will begin fall classes in the completed Brewington Family Lower School.

Building in the Snow!
 

Workmen have been taking apart the portable classrooms and getting them ready for removal. Snow and freezing weather hasn't stopped work. Watch here  as earth movers do their work in a snowstorm.

Joyous Groundbreaking!

About 450 people attended the joyous groundbreaking ceremony for the new Brewington Family Lower School building at The Episcopal School on Thursday. Bishop Charles vonRosenberg officiated at the event which included the 295 students, about 60 faculty and staff members, and many friends of the school. Among these were Mary Ellen and Steven Brewington, for whom the building is named, Sarah Stowers who, with her late husband, Harry, have been longtime supporters of the school, Paul Siler and Blair Kline.
 
(Left, Lower School children cheered at the launching of their new building. Right, acolytes leading procession to the groundbreaking.)

Headmaster Jay Secor commended the donors and friends of the school who have long dreamed of and worked for this building. "The result of their dedication to Episcopal School is this new and much needed lower school facility," he told the large audience.
In the traditional Episcopalian groundbreaking ceremony, students wrapped ribbons around the groundbreaking site to form the ancient letter, "Chi," which is the symbol of both the cross and the name of Christ.  
 

The $3 million, 22,000 square foot  building will include 12 classrooms, a library, art room, music room, foreign language lab and office, with space for tutoring and teacher supply rooms. The arts and crafts style building, with its belfry and carillon, will complement Googe Hall. Barber McMurry Architects designed the building. Messer Construction Co. is the building contractor. It is scheduled for completion Aug. 1.

Ashton wraps ribbon around stakes to form the letter "Chi".

Below: (l-r) Rendering of the Brewington Family Lower School by fifth graders; the groundbreaking; Bishop Charles vonRosenberg

  Touchdown, Saints!