SEOUL -- On Nov. 27, Department of Defense Education Activity Korea District Superintendent Dr. Irby Miller announced the completion of the new Humphreys Middle/High School to students, parents, sponsors, faculty, and support staff.
The new state-of-the-art school will open to students Jan. 8, 2014.
The transition into the new school will be phased with initial preparations taking place up and through the school district's winter break. During this time, furniture, supplies, equipment and learning materials will be transferred from the current interim school location to the new facilities.
As part of the final transition phase, faculty and support staff will report back for duty on Jan. 6 -- two days earlier than students -- to finalize classroom and facility preparations.
The completion of the new high school follows the opening of the new Humphreys Central Elementary School in August and the groundbreaking for a new middle school in November. The middle/high school configuration is temporary as the new middle school under construction is scheduled to open for school year 2015-16. Once open, all middle school students will attend the new middle school and the current high school will revert to grades 9-12. Two additional elementary schools are scheduled to open by school year 2017-18 which will provide an end-state enrollment capacity of 4,675 for all Department of Defense schools located on Camp Humphreys.
The newly constructed schools represent a significant milestone, as Camp Humphreys is in the early stages of transforming into one of two enduring military hubs in the Republic of Korea. All construction is being funded by the Republic of Korea as part of a strategic multi-year restationing of U.S. military personnel south of Seoul.
Contemporary educational facilities will help students and educators maximize learning opportunities for decades to come. In addition to modern classrooms and state-of-the-art technology associated with newly-built schools, Humphreys Middle/High School features a performing arts auditorium, digital video studio, and LEED Silver level sustainable design features. The new and planned school campuses are designed and located to complement the Camp Humphreys planned community.
"We're excited to welcome the New Year with new facilities and look forward to a successful conclusion to the 2013-14 school year,' said Shelly Kennedy, principal of Humphreys Middle/High School. "We plan on having a memorable opening day Jan. 8 for all of the students."
Prior to entering the school on Jan. 8, Kennedy said a special ceremony will be held to raise the U.S. flag with all students, faculty and support staff in attendance. A celebration will follow in the new auditorium. The festivities will include spirited school band and choral performances and specially-decorated bulletin boards carried by students from their interim school into the new facilities.
Following both ceremonies, students will receive guided tours of the new campus from teachers. Additionally, parents and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend an open house for the new school on Monday, Jan. 13, from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
The new school was originally scheduled to open in August, but additional time was necessary to ensure the school meets all safety codes and is fully operational.
More photos of the new Humphreys Middle/High School are available from the Camp Humphreys Public Affairs Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usaghumphreys/sets/72157638302436766/
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