New Haven Independent

Here’s the write-up from the Board of Ed:

Bishop Woods demo signals start of new school construction

Students and staff were on hand as Bishop Woods School, which has served the northeastern portion of the City since 1970, came tumbling down Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, 11 a.m. at Bishop Woods School, 1481 Quinnipiac Ave.

Friday’s event signaled the start of the construction of the New Bishop Woods PK-8 School. This $37 million school construction project is designed by JCJ Architecture and is being built by the construction manager firm R2D of Cromwell. Bishop Woods students are currently being housed in two “swing space” sites. The new school will be completed in the fall of 2009.

At Friday’s event, Principal Barbara Chock displayed pictures of the original school and a teacher, Roseanne Heigel, who has been with the school since its original dedication, talked about her fond memories over the years. School officials also had a framed dedication program from the original dedication ceremony.

Students read statements about the school and music teacher Pat Stone led the kids in a song about Bishop Woods that dates back to its beginnings. After a quick drumroll, the Mayor led a countdown as a claw bit into the building.

The Citywide School Construction Program has completed 26 projects to date. Bishop Woods is one of seven projects currently under construction. The others are Cooperative Arts & Humanities, Troup Magnet, Christopher Columbus, Metropolitan Business Academy, Sheridan, and Worthington Hooker (new, for grades 2-8).