Scripps Ranch High School celebrates new facilities, community garden dedicated to memory of beloved student
May 23, 2019
SAN DIEGO - Tragedy met inspiration for Scripps Ranch High School (SRHS) and San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) on Wednesday, with the completion of the school's 15,000-square-foot classroom hall, athletic field renovations, and a new community garden named after a senior who died in a DUI crash more than twenty years ago.
Construction started on the California Distinguished School's new classroom building and athletic fields in winter 2016. Now complete, the two-story learning space at the northwest corner of the campus holds 12 classrooms, while overlooking the beautiful Scripps Ranch mountain-scape.
Inside of One Classroom at Scripps Ranch High School's New Two-Story Classroom Building
Thanks to Propositions S & Z, the learning spaces each have state-of-the-art technology, including an interactive whiteboard, wireless voice amplification systems, new laptop computers for teachers and Chromebooks for students.The new building features new student and staff restrooms.
"These upgrades within this state-of-the-art facility will only further the success of students here at SRHS and beyond," SDUSD Board President Sharon Whitehurst-Payne said.
Superintendent Cindy Marten thanked the project team and local voters for all they have done to invest in upgrading educational facilities.
"Investing in education lays the foundation for our city's future," Superintendent Marten said. "Investments like this will continue to make San Diego a place for families to excel."
Left to right: Board President Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Superintendent Cindy Marten, Chris & Ken Marra (Noelle's parents), Jennae Kustra (Noelle's sister) and Chief of Facilities Planning & Construction Lee Dulgeroff stand in front of Noelle Marra's plaque and senior photo in the new garden
Just outside of the classroom hall sits a student-planted community garden named "Noelle's Garden." It is named after Noelle Marra, a SRHS senior who died after a DUI driver struck her in 1995.
Garden Club President Natalie de los Santos said she and other members approached Principal DeWitt with the notion of using the site outside the new classroom building for the new garden.
"We wanted to make this a home for Noelle's plaque," de los Santos said. "Many still remember Noelle Marra and her story."
"We will always remember Noelle's leadership, spirit, smiles, and craziness," the plaque reads. "The class of 1995 will always hold her close to our hearts… please don't drink and drive."
SRHS Garden Club President Natalie de los Santos (center) poses with Principal Nicole DeWitt (right) and School Counselor Matt Johnson (left). Johnson oversees the student-run garden club.
On the Northeast side of the campus, softball players have a new field to call home. Funded through Propositions S & Z, construction crews added new dugouts, bullpens, batting cages, concession stands, equipment storage, and an announcer's booth.
Left to right: aerial photo of the new softball field, new dugout space for players, and one of the new batting cages.
Softball players are not the only ones benefiting from athletic improvements at SRHS: tennis players now have newly renovated tennis courts. Crews added new tennis surfacing, striping, and nets, as well as a new drinking fountain.
Aerial view of the new tennis courts at SRHS.
The football stadium also underwent renovation: there are now ADA accessible bleachers on both the home and the visitor's side of the stadium, as well as an ADA compliant press box. Those visiting the football games now have their own restroom and concession stand. New gates were also installed at the entrance, as well as a new ticket booth.
Left: new concession stand at the football stadium; right: new secure gating at football stadium.
To read more about San Diego Unified Facilities Planning and Construction projects, like the one at Scripps Ranch High School, visit fpcprojects.sandi.net.