"Wall-breaking" Kicks Off Summer Construction Project
On Tuesday, June 12, the Burke's community celebrated the beginning of this summer's construction project with a "wall-breaking" that brought together students, teachers, parents, alumnae, and special guests.
Why a "wall-breaking"? The biggest change taking place in this campus transformation is the reworking of the Lunchroom into a Campus Center, which will involve the removal of the back wall behind the stage to bring views from Lincoln Park into the new space.
For a few weeks leading up to the wall-breaking, students and teachers were invited to say their goodbyes to the Lunchroom (and share favorite memories) on a large swath of butcher paper on the back wall. Lower School Head Alice Moore and Upper School Head Rebekah Wolman shared several of those contributions at the ceremony. Ms. Moore then started a countdown, and with the help of two fourth graders, pushed down on an old-fashioned "detonator" to break down a wall of paper bricks to reveal Head of School Michele Williams and the eighth-grade Youth Voice moderators!
As they headed back to class, students and teachers filed through the Lunchroom to see a video installation. With the help of Burke's parent Jesse Moss, a high-resolution video of Lincoln Park was projected onto the back wall to mimic how the Lunchroom will look post-transformation. Remaining guests then heard remarks from the co-chairs and the Community Phase Chairs of Many Voices. Many Hands. All Burke's., the capital campaign that is making the new Campus Center and the Lower School classroom renovations possible.
To see photos and videos of the event, visit our campaign website at allburkes.org. Click here for construction information.