Hayward Celebrates Opening of New State-of-the-Art Public School.

Inauguration of Stonebrae Elementary Draws Elected Officials, Students & Families and Education Advocates for Day-Long Festival, Dedication Ceremony

HAYWARD, Calif. -- Families with students attending Stonebrae Elementary School - the first public school to open in Hayward in 40 years - celebrated today with an afternoon family festival and formal dedication ceremony.

Stonebrae School is located on a 12-acre site in the Hayward hills and includes a state-of-the art multi-purpose gymnasium, computer labs, learning gardens, two playing fields and modern facilities to accommodate up to 650 students in grades K-6. In collaboration with the Hayward Unified School District (HUSD), Stonebrae School was primarily funded by the project's developer, Stonebrae LP. Additionally, the school received a grant by the state of California.

"This is a day of celebration for the city of Hayward and our public schools," said Dr. Dale Vigil, superintendent, HUSD. "Stonebrae School is a model for the kind of modern facility that inspires teaching and encourages learning."

Hundreds of students and families, members of the community, and those credited with creating the school attended the dedication event. Participants toured the school and enjoyed live music by the Hayward High School band and San Francisco Taiko Dojo. On the main playground, students and their families played hoops with special guest Tom Tolbert, retired Golden State Warrior, NBA analyst for ESPN and co-host of KNBR Radio's "The Razor & Mr. T." Others enjoyed field games and dance and martial arts instruction sponsored by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD).

Stonebrae School is part of the planned new community of Stonebrae Country Club, including 575 new homes, a championship golf course and clubhouse, and miles of hiking trails and open space.

"We are proud to integrate a cutting-edge school into the new community of Stonebrae Country Club," said Steve Miller, executive director of Stonebrae Country Club. "After years of planning and thoughtful design, it is wonderful to celebrate the school's opening today."

Facts About Stonebrae Elementary School

* On August 29, 2006, Stonebrae School opened to 503 students in grades K-6. There are currently 22 teachers.

* Nearly two-thirds of Stonebrae's students have transferred from the recently closed Highland Elementary School; other students have come from the 15 other elementary schools in the city of Hayward, including private schools. New homeowners at Stonebrae Country Club also will be eligible to send children to Stonebrae School.

* Located on a 12.5 acre site, the school was designed by Fee Munson Ebert (FME) Architecture + Design, and construction was completed by Lusardi Construction Company and Bruns Belmont, chosen for their expertise in building schools that integrate into the community.

* Designed by April Philips Design Works, the school's landscape design utilizes both native and Mediterranean plants throughout the entire site, creating an attractive and sustainable system sensitive to the surrounding regional habitat. The courtyard encourages outdoor learning in the science and art gardens.

* In addition to the core curriculum, Stonebrae School emphasizes technology. Each classroom includes wireless Internet access. The school also utilizes Computers on Wheels (COWs), allowing teachers to incorporate technology in the delivery of lessons in the classroom, rather than a computer lab. Stonebrae has a staffed, high-tech Library/Media Center equipped with wireless laptops that are used in the library and also can be checked-out for classroom use.

* The new school's principal is Lisa Nolting. Previously, Lisa was principal at Harder Elementary for more than three years. Lisa has worked in education for 28 years, including 19 years with HUSD.

* The center of the campus is anchored by a multi-purpose gymnasium for arts, entertainment and education. The campus also houses separate art and science rooms.

* Two playing fields, incorporating the latest in year-round artificial turf surface, are managed by the HARD in a joint-use agreement with HUSD.

* The school parking lot, as well as additional parking along Carden Lane, serves as a staging area and trailhead into thousands of acres of undisturbed parkland, owned and managed by East Bay Regional Park District for use by hikers, bikers and equestrians from throughout the community.

For More Information: www.husd.k12.ca.us/Stonebrae.

About Stonebrae Country Club

Along the highest ridgeline of the East Bay hills, Stonebrae Country Club is a dynamic and unique residential community capturing the beauty of the Bay in a country club setting. Stonebrae includes distinctive village neighborhoods of luxury homes located within the Walpert Ridge planning area of the city of Hayward. The community also includes a country club, 18-hole championship golf course, and 1,200 acres of regional open space dedicated to the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD). For more information: www.stonebrae.com.