Though students have been enjoying the Learning Commons for over a week, on Wednesday morning a ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the new modern space. Speakers included SHS Principal Ken Bonamo, Superintendent Thomas Hagerman, Assistant Superintendent Stuart Mattey, SHS PTA President Beth Zadek, SHS English teacher Stephen Mounkhall, and the president and vice president of the SHS student body, Ezra Levine ’19 and Amanda Glik ’19. All the speakers delivered short remarks to an audience of teachers and PTA members who admired the impressive space as they listened.

The speakers highlighted the multiple years of work that went into the creation of the Learning Commons, as well as the countless community members – teachers, parents, students, Board of Education members, and others – who made its construction both possible and successful. They also discussed the numerous ways the college-like space is already being used: as a classroom, a space for smaller meetings, a place for study groups to work together, and as a place to hang out, eat lunch, and do individual studying.

After the speeches, President of the Board of Education William Natbony cut a ribbon, held by Levine and Glik, with a pair of oversized scissors. The audience applauded enthusiastically and was invited to enjoy refreshments and continue exploring the commons.