RAPID CITY, SD — Representatives of Rapid City Area Schools, Scull Construction, and city government came together on the afternoon of April 20th in commemoration of the start of long-awaited expansions to Rapid Valley Elementary.

Rapid Valley Elementary is set to see renovations across much of the building, with the addition of new classrooms, a new office area, and an HVAC system set to be constructed over the next 18 months. “During this project, students and families will need to have patience and grace because you might be in the middle of your math lesson and they may tear down the tree outside your window,” said RVE Principal Rhoda Bryan “When you go to recess playing soccer, you might need to give it a little less thump to make sure that the workers are throwing our soccer balls back over the fence instead of working. Even with the different school years, and we might be used to next year, the school will still remain a safe place to learn and grow”.

“Schools are the heart of a community. They are places where children discover who they are, where educators dedicate themselves to shaping lives and where families place their trust and hope for their children’s futures.” said Dr. Jami Jo Johnson, RCAS Superintendent, “This project represents our commitment to honor that trust. That is – this expansion is a commitment to our students to provide you with a safe modern and inspiring space“. Johnson was joined at the podium by Mayor Jason Salamun, Principal Bryan, RVE’s Student Leadership, and RCAS Construction and Planning Manager Jade Clement (acting as MC of the event).

RVE students stay true to their school, chanting out the school song (via Fiona Ton)

Members of the school’s student leadership seemed excited for the project, with Molly, a fifth grade leader being happy to see a “New and spacious” place for more kids to learn and grow. Noah, a fellow fifth grade student leader spoke of both excitement and concern for the safety of the construction workers, saying “What I’m excited about for Rapid Valley is the air conditioning, because all the new kids are going to be able to experience and enjoy that.” following, “What I’m really nervous about is for the construction workers to maybe get some really bad injuries”.