2016-08-15

At Frank Ruston Elementary, students aren’t just getting new boxes of pencils and crayons. They’re getting a whole new school. "Compared to the other building, it’s really nice,” says parent Ayesha Marks. “I like the library upgrade with the computer and books and everything.” “It’s awesome,” says third-grader Gianni Ramos of the school. “It’s much bigger and has more space.” A lot more space. The old building, near the intersection of 43rd and Rainbow Ave., was jam-packed. The gym doubled as both cafeteria and music room. The nurse’s office was in a cubicle in the hall. That’s not the case anymore. There’s a gym, a designated nurse’s office, a music room and an art room. “There’s enough space. We were really crammed in before,” says fifth-grade teacher Laura McNellis. “Now we have an excess amount of classrooms. We can take in more students.” Those mobile classrooms gave the school some extra room, but they also presented challenges. The mobile classrooms were noisy and often too hot

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