April 21, 2006

Rainy days bring good things

Silver Creek High School breaks ground for new building

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

It might have been raining, but it certainly didn't dampen anyone's spirit when Silver Creek High School broke ground for its new science and technology building on April 10.

Lifting their shovels of “ceremonial dirt” are, from the left, Mike Blach, president of Blach Contstruction and the general contractor, Principal Thelma Boac, City Councilman Dave Cortese, Superintendent Bob Nunez and City Councilman Forrest Williams. Photo by Carol Rosen

A crowd of about 50 to 75 people, including students, parents, faculty, students, administrators and city council members, gathered to "lift a ceremonial shovel of dirt."

Work has already begun on the $14 million building, the first new building in the school's history, and renovations to the 37-year old campus, which is expected to be complete within the next 18 months. Clearing began before the ground breaking, but rain halted much of the work.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, the campus' image will transform. The portable classrooms will be removed and replaced with a 17,000 square-foot, two-story building as well as a new courtyard with a stage and new landscaping.

The new building is courtesy of Measure G, the $298 million bond issue passed by voters in 2004.

"This bond, intended for school facility improvement, is today being put to use, building the first major addition to our school in its history,” said Principal Thelma Boac at the ceremony. “This groundbreaking celebrates what will become a much desired new building and streetscape upon our campus. Helping equip our students for their futures, this building shall house them in a new science building and help our school reflect outwardly the excellence we hold within."

Boac went on to mention that much has changed in the school's history. The city of San Jose has nearly doubled in size, with the orchards that covered the hills now replaced with technology, housing and traffic.

The architects' rendering of the new $14 million, two-story science and technology building. Photo by Ed Wong

"Rising to the challenges posed by our district, our city and state, and, most important, our community, we stand before you on the verge of yet another growth,” she said. “Through all of this, we have and will continue to maintain our commitment to excellence. Silver Creek High School stands as a pinnacle of what is possible when groups collaborate for the betterment of the whole. We currently offer the most AP courses in the district, achieved an astounding API growth last year, [we] turn out CCS placing athletes, have an award-winning counseling staff, have received accolades from the California Business for Educational Excellence organization and too many other accomplishments to name."

District 8 Council member Dave Cortese also praised residents for passing the bond measure and helping provide this "beautiful addition to Silver Creek High School and the community."

Also attending were East Side Union High School District Superintendent Bob Nunez and the assistant superintendent of operations, Alan Garofalo.

They were joined by Mike Blach, president of Blach Construction--the project's general contractor--and his crew, Todd Walters, principal of AEDIS Group, the architect that designed the building and his staff and District 2 City Council member Forrest Williams.