Photos by Michael O’Brien
‘Topping Off’
On Thursday, May 23, the West Haven Public School District celebrated a “Topping Off” Ceremony for the new Washington Elementary School, in which a beam signed by Washington students, staff, and others, was placed to celebrate the completion of the building’s exterior steel structure.
Prior to the placement of the new beam, guests signed it upon their arrival. Among those in attendance were Superintendent Neil C. Cavallaro, Washington Principal Alicia Limosani, Board of Education members Bob Guthrie, Kim Kenny, Patricia Libero and Rosa Richardson, former Mayor Nancy Rossi, current Mayor Dorinda Borer, and more.
After everyone signed the beam, Superintendent Cavallaro addressed the crowd of roughly 20 people with a few remarks. The beam was then lifted by members of the Gilbane Building Company and placed parallel to Brown Street.
Washington Elementary School has served the neighborhood since 1909 and will soon have a brand-new facility to continue this tradition for many years to come. The new 61,770-square-foot school will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment, designed for 438 students in grades PreK-4, in the same location as the former school.