News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
Three ribbon-cuttings gave school communities from Washington, DC, to California plenty to celebrate.
The start of the school year brought ribbon-cuttings on both coasts, as families and school leaders celebrated projects ranging from a playground built over the summer to campuses with room for hundreds more students.
Thompson High School: A grandson speaks for the family
The August 24 ribbon-cutting at Washington, DC’s John R. Thompson Jr. High School brought the legendary Georgetown basketball coach’s family to the campus that now bears his name. His grandson, Dylan Thompson, spoke on the family’s behalf as Mayor Muriel Bowser, Georgetown University leaders, and former New York Knicks star Patrick Ewing joined the celebration.
The ceremony fell on the first day of school and doubled as a dedication. Students at the former MacArthur High School began the year with more classroom space and a school named for the Georgetown coach and educator. For Ewing, who played for Thompson at Georgetown, and the family members in attendance, the tribute was personal.
Successive construction phases expanded the school’s capacity from 200 students to 800. The latest addition contributed 33,000 square feet, including an entire floor of science classrooms, new art and music rooms, and an outdoor classroom. Brailsford & Dunlavey serves as program manager for the city’s school modernization program.
Geyserville Elementary: Ready for recess
Two days later, on the other side of the country, students, families, and neighbors gathered to cut the ribbon on Geyserville Elementary School’s new playground in Northern California’s Sonoma County. The August 26 celebration capped a two-month construction sprint and gave the community a firsthand look at what its Measure A funding had made possible.
School board members joined Superintendent Mark Beebe, who spoke about the importance of safe, engaging spaces for students and the wider community. For the children, the appeal was more immediate: a new place to play with friends.
B&D served as owner’s representative, working with Wright Contracting and Blitz Architects to deliver the playground within the short summer construction window.
Malcolm X Elementary: A daughter joins the celebration
Back in Washington, another school welcomed a member of its namesake’s family for a ribbon-cutting on September 21. Ambassador Attallah Shabazz, Malcolm X’s eldest daughter, joined Mayor Muriel Bowser and other District officials to cut the ribbon at the modernized Malcolm X Elementary School in Southeast Washington.
The $67 million modernization doubled the school’s size to 85,000 square feet. Expanded early childhood classrooms, a new gymnasium and library, and outdoor learning spaces gave students and teachers more room throughout the school day. Outside, students gained playgrounds and a synthetic turf athletic field. Public art included a life-size statue of Malcolm X.
The project also resolved a practical scheduling headache: lunch and physical education could take place at the same time without competing for space.
B&D supported the modernization alongside GCS-SIGAL and CGS Architects. Businesses from the school’s own neighborhood had a hand in the work: Ward 8 subcontractors HRGM and Precision Wall Tech together accounted for nearly $3.9 million in contracts.
