Riverside Elementary Unveils $2 Million in Improvements

December 12, 2024 • By David Volz
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{BCPS}

Riverside Elementary School celebrated the completion of a $2 million renovation project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the media center on December 12.

Due to the voter-approved SMART Bond program, more than $2 million has been allocated for campuswide enhancements, including the renovated media center, ADA-compliant restrooms, HVAC improvements, fire sprinkler system and more.

Most of the work involved major improvements to the media center, including new furniture, flooring, shelves, and a space reorganization.

Principal Lisa Balint said campus-wide renovations included re-roofing, a new fire alarm system, and ADA-compliant restrooms.

“This has been amazing, and we now have a new media center that offers kids a comfortable and warm space to spend time and read books. We want to encourage our students to love books,” said Balint.

Broward County Schools board member Lori Alhadeff, school board chair Debra Hixon, and superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn attended the ribbon cutting and spoke on the importance of a media center. A group of first graders sang about their love of books.

Briella Danin, 11, a fifth grader and Coral Springs resident, looks forward to spending time in the new media center. “I love to read books, and this is a place I want to be. It is well organized,” said Danin.

Riverside Elementary Unveils $2 Million Media Center Makeover, Celebrates Literacy and Learning

{BCPS}

Riverside Elementary Unveils $2 Million Media Center Makeover, Celebrates Literacy and Learning

{BCPS}

Riverside Elementary Unveils $2 Million Media Center Makeover, Celebrates Literacy and Learning

{BCPS}

{BCPS}

{BCPS}

Riverside Elementary Unveils $2 Million Media Center Makeover, Celebrates Literacy and Learning

New media center ribbon cutting ceremomy at Riverside Elementary. {BCPS}

Lisa Ivanik, the media specialist leading the media center, looks forward to seeing students work in the new center. “We replace the old library with a more comfortable space where kids learn together,” she said.

Hepburn said, “This will be a comfortable place for students to learn. Literacy is important, and we need to encourage students to read. ”

Board member Debbi Hixon said, “This will be a place for kids to learn together. It will encourage a love for learning.”

The $800 million Safety, Music and Art, Athletics, Renovation Technology capital improvement program funded the renovations.

Riverside Elementary School is located at 11450 Riverside Drive, Coral Springs.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz
David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.

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