The auditorium at Richard J. Bailey officially reopened to students and their families last evening for the annual winter concert. The space had been closed for more than two years, making this the first opportunity that current sixth-grade students had to perform there.
“I'm really excited to perform in the new auditorium,” said sixth-grade student Sydney Brooks. “I get to play in front of a lot of people.” Her classmate Aimee agreed: “Now all my friends and family will be able to see the performance, and we’ll have a bigger audience who can enjoy it.”
The concert was preceded by a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the reopening and to thank the many people who were instrumental in the renovations, including former NY State Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti. Mr. Abinanti, who led an effort to procure $500,000 from New York State to help fund the work on the auditorium, was publicly recognized and spoke at the ceremony.
“Yesterday’s ideas should be the foundation, not the ceiling, for tomorrow’s ideas, said Mr. Abinanti. “So to tomorrow’s leaders, the people who study in this building every day, they deserve today’s living space, not the ruins of the past.”
He continued, “I’m so pleased that I was able to use the power of the public position of assemblyman to ensure that our future leaders have what they need today.”
The ceremony started with remarks from GCSD Superintendent Dr. Linda J. Iverson, followed by Board of Education President Tracy Mairs and Trustee David Warner, who also leads the District’s Facilities Committee. Several past BoE members were present, along with Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.
RJ Bailey Principal Shqype Rraci told the audience that the auditorium is much more than a room. “It is a stage where creativity flourishes, pride grows, and memories are made.” She introduced three members of the RJB Student Council, two of whom shared the delivery of brief comments. They talked about the limitations of performing without access to the auditorium and how the “magnificent auditorium offers more seating, multi-grade assemblies, and access to enhanced technology.” But perhaps of greatest excitement to these sixth graders is that their graduation ceremony can return to RJB this year.
The District extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all those who helped make the renovations possible and who take an ongoing interest in our schools. You can view the ceremony and winter concert on our YouTube channel and please look for concert photos soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt8FKrQNAVQ&ab_channel=GCSDVideo%26Media