NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne will officially present William B. Ward Elementary School’s renovated school library to the community on Thursday, May 19 at 5:00 p.m. during a ribbon cutting ceremony. Ward’s more than 1,000 grade K-5 students read 1,487,477 minutes and raised almost $44,000 for the renovations through their recent Read-a-thon. The effort was conceived and led by the school’s PTA in partnership with Ward Principal Franco Miele and his staff.
“The outcome of the annual Read-a-thon is this amazing new library that our children can enjoy for years to come. It is the result of a wonderful collaboration among the school’s PTA, the school district, and local businesses to benefit our students. It is one among many fantastic examples of what a special school community we have at Ward,” stated Miele. The following New Rochelle businesses worked with the PTA and the school district to complete the beautiful library remodeling, including: TC Chou of Design Determination (donated all design services), Ottavio’s Woodworking (bookcases and check-out area), and Ramos Upholstery (reading cubby cushions). In addition, new carpet was installed by New York Century Group’s Linda Richmond, a New Rochelle alumna. The school district’s professional painters provided the finishing touches with a new paint color and new ceiling tiles. Albert Leonard Middle School National Junior Honor Society candidates also helped unpack library materials in preparation for its grand reopening.