New Emerson Elementary Opens To Students

Staff Report

It is an exciting time at Emerson Elementary School as over 440 students and roughly 30 teachers and staff begin school on Monday, Aug. 4 in a new facility.

Today is the first day of classes for students in the Bartow County School System.

Funded by the education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, this 84,000 square foot facility cost approximately $15 million. A&E was the architect for the building and Bowen & Watson built the facility.

Students will enjoy a new media center, cafeteria, gym and 40 classrooms. The new structure can accommodate 750 students as the area continues to add more residents.

“Our hope is this new facility is a lighthouse for the community, parents and students,” said Principal Robb Kittle.

The building is equipped to handle the technology demands of today’s students. Emerson Elementary is part of the the district’s One- to-One Initiative. Through this program, students in grades 3 through 5 have their own laptop to utilize throughout the day for their assignments and classroom activities.

Kittle, who said his students are the school’s “core focus,” added Emerson Elementary now has the tools to really thrive as now our building can accommodate our technology demands.”

“I can’t tell you how excited I am for teachers and student to have an outstanding building,” added Bartow Schools Superintendent Dr. John Harper.

Teachers are excited too as they prepare their new classrooms.

“There are a lot of memories at the old building but we are excited to make new memories here in our new building,” said Jennifer Clements, Fourth Grade Teacher. “We are excited about the students having their new laptops.”

(Photo: the media center of Emerson Elementary School. Credit: Bartow County School System)