On June 1, there was a ground breaking at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH) for the McCausland Lower School & Commons new building with outdoor green space, and common area, for SCH students grades Pre-K to 4. The project is the centerpiece of Phase II of the school’s Campus Master Plan, a multiyear capital campaign.
The first class of first graders to move into the new building, led the groundbreaking ceremony at the front door location of the new building. of the new building is sited. The students sang ”Inch by Inch,” the popular tune by John Denver, as a metaphor for the growth that will occur in the new space. The McCausland family, Dick, and Steve lifted a ceremonial shovel and took the first dig. Board Chair Dick Hayne and members of the Board of Trustees, parents, and local community partners joined in the ceremony.
“This space is designed to showcase SCH’s standout educational program, one that is forward-thinking and nurturing and will serve as the latest example of SCH’s position as a leader in educational thought and practice,” said Steve Druggan, SCH Head of School. “The new building and outdoor common area will serve SCH’s youngest community members as they begin their educational journey. I am thrilled that the first class of first graders, as well as our donors and board members, were able to join us in kicking off this important project, which will enable us to even better serve our students and community.”
At the groundbreaking this morning, SCH Board Chair Dick Hayne was joined by Bonnie McCausland, representing the entire McCausland family, at the podium. With her children and grandchildren present to celebrate, Bonnie shared, “Peter and I and our family are so thrilled that SCH is in such a good place and has such a promising future. We applaud the many individual efforts which make SCH such a great school—teachers who instill a love of learning and thinking in their students, parents who volunteer, alumni who return and support the school to show their gratitude, staff members who keep our school running smoothly—each of these individual efforts combine to forge an amazing culture which is SCH. The McCauslands are glad to be a part of it.”
Construction of the project will begin later this month, once the academic year adjourns, and SCH expects to open the new Lower School building to students in the fall of 2019.
With the lead gift from the McCausland family—Peter and Bonnie McCausland, Elizabeth and Kyle Salata, and Chris and Kristina McCausland—and other contributions to this project, SCH has raised 90% of the funds needed for the $34 million capital campaign and will be continuing Phase II fundraising efforts.