“”LA CROSSE, Wis., (March 9, 2020) – The $6.3 million expansion and remodeling project of the community school at Hamilton Elementary continues to move forward with a yes vote from the Board of Education, generous, collaborative commitments from two local organizations, and grant funding from the City of La Crosse.
The project is unique because it directly furthers the efforts of Hamilton Elementary’s transition to becoming a full-service community school – a partnership between the school and community offering support and resources for students, families, and the surrounding neighborhood. The expansion project includes the addition of a gymnasium, community center space, remodel of the library, and additional classrooms. The community space will also be open for a variety of services that will benefit the entire Powell-Poage-Hamilton Neighborhood.
“Our public schools are supposed to be the hubs and life-centers of our communities,” said Hamilton Elementary principal Ben Burns. “We are preparing the next generation of citizens. Our efforts so far as a community school have strengthened and created many great partnerships. Those community stakeholders have always seen the importance of a strong neighborhood school and the need to invest in the lives of our kids and the future of this community.”””””[vc_single_image image=”16790″ img_size=”625×417″ alignment=”center”]””””Two of the district’s longest-standing partners are now continuing that investment. The district has been given financial commitments from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse and Gundersen Health System. Each organization has pledged $1.2 million toward the expansion project. The La Crosse Community Development Committee has also awarded the district with a two-year $400,000 grant that would support the district’s expansion plan for Hamilton Elementary School. The remaining costs will be funded by the district’s fund balance and capital projects funds.
“The Club has been fortunate to be able to offer after school programming at Hamilton Elementary since 1997,” said Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Jake Erickson. “On a daily basis, we see the needs of youth and the impact our staff can have in this neighborhood. This is why we are thrilled to partner on this exciting project to enhance programming and opportunities for youth who need us most.”
La Crosse offers first-rate medical, dental, higher education, and employment services and opportunities, but too many families are not accessing these resources. The community school aims to address not only the day-to-day needs of students and families but to also address barriers at a systemic level. Part of the community school’s strategy is to identify those barriers and build collaborative partnerships to help bridge individuals and families with the resources that exist.””””[vc_single_image image=”16796″ img_size=”625×417″ alignment=”center”]””””“We know health and well-being is about so much more than the care we provide in our hospitals and clinics,” said Hamilton mentor, Powell-Poage-Hamilton resident, and Gundersen Health System CEO Scott Rathgaber, MD. “Investing in kids and families through reading, access to technology and an improved educational environment sets them up for a healthier, productive, successful future. Through this collaborative investment into the Hamilton expansion; the more than 100 current and former Gundersen and community mentors for students at Hamilton through Gundersen Global Partners; the Poage Park revitalization; and numerous other Powell-Poage-Hamilton Neighborhood partnerships, Gundersen and our neighbors are improving the health of the community together.”
Hamilton Elementary is a critical piece in the revitalization of the Powell-Poage-Hamilton Neighborhood. The community school project will create spaces providing endless positive opportunities for students and neighborhood residents. With the addition of new facilities, Hamilton will become the hub for neighborhood activity.
“Forward progress on this expansion makes us so excited for the students, staff, families, and neighbors of our community school at Hamilton Elementary,” said Superintendent of Schools Randy Nelson. “A substantial amount of research shows that a strong neighborhood school makes a positive difference in the community and serves as a catalyst for other neighborhood investment. We’re committed to providing more resources and support not just for children who attend Hamilton but for the entire neighborhood and the City of La Crosse.”””””[vc_single_image image=”16794″ img_size=”thumbnail625x417″ alignment=”center”]””
