SAN MARCOS, CA \u2013 Palomar College officials are shown at a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new Early Childhood Education Lab School (ECELS) held at the College in San Marcos on Friday, Dec. 5. Pictured (standing, with white hard hats) along with children and staff members from the existing Child Development Center are from left, Palomar Community College District Governing Board Trustee Nancy Chadwick, Governing Board President Paul McNamara, Vice President John Halc\u00f3n, Trustee Mark Evilsizer, and Palomar College Superintendent\/President Robert P. Deegan .<\/p>\n
Deegan officiated at the event, which featured comments from McNamara, Assistant Superintendent\/Vice President of Instruction Berta Cuaron, and the current Dean and Dean Emerita of Social and Behavioral Sciences Dr. Jack Kahn and Judy Cater, respectively.<\/p>\n
Professor of Child Development and Liaison to the ECELS, Diane Studinka gave the keynote address.<\/p>\n
The new 70,000 square-foot facility will include three buildings, housing seven classrooms along with offices and other designated rooms; plus five play yards with slides, tunnels, bridges, climbing ramps and more. \u00a0The new ECELS facility is designed to accommodate 123 persons including staff.<\/p>\n
Built with funds from Proposition M, a bond measure approved by voters in November 2006, the ECELS is expected to be completed in fall 2015.<\/p>\n
In addition to the ceremonial groundbreaking and photographs with different groups including Governing Board members with children who attend the existing Child Development Center, local government and education officials, the grand opening event included\u00a0a lunch of kid-friendly foods.<\/p>\n
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Media contacts:\u00a0 Melinda Finn, Public Affairs Office, 760-744-1150 x2365
\nLaura Gropen, Public Affairs Department, 760-744-1150 x2152<\/p>\n
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