New School Opening
December 14, 2008 Filed in: Schools
On December 11, 2008, several hundred people turned
out in the pouring rain for the formal opening of
Englewood’s brand-new Dr. John Grieco Elementary
School on Durie Avenue. The century-old Lincoln
School on Englewood Avenue is in the process of being
closed; teachers and students will report to the new
location after the holiday recess on January 5 next
year.
Speakers at the ceremony chaired by Board of Education President Glenn Garrison included the principal architect, John Capazzi, interim Superintentendent Richard Segall, Mayor Michael Wildes, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Bergen County Superintendent Aaron Graham, Principal of the new school Marsha Howard, and Director of Facilities Michael Hunken. Special tribute to Dr. John Grieco, after whom the school is named, was paid by his long time associate and former Englewood Superintendent Carol Lisa, as well as Grieco’s daughters, Andrea and Joy.
The new school was opened more than four and a half years after the voters of Englewood approved a referendum which permitted the initiation of a $46,000,000 school construction and improvement program. The new Grieco School is the most prominent part of that program, which has also included major additions to Quarles School and Cleveland School, and extensive renovations at Dwight Morrow High School and Janice Dismus Middle School. Notably and commendably the work has to date been accomplished under budget. The construction program was the result of a major initiative by Grieco, who became Superintentent here in 2002 and died suddenly in 2005. Grieco, one of the most highly respected educators in New Jersey, made the Englewood Public Schools the last major commitment of his life. The new school is a fitting memorial.
Persons unfamiliar with Englewood can find the Grieco School by turning east off of Tenafly Road onto Durie Avenue. It is an impressive building and should enhance Englewood’s image more than most other recent construction in the City.
Speakers at the ceremony chaired by Board of Education President Glenn Garrison included the principal architect, John Capazzi, interim Superintentendent Richard Segall, Mayor Michael Wildes, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Bergen County Superintendent Aaron Graham, Principal of the new school Marsha Howard, and Director of Facilities Michael Hunken. Special tribute to Dr. John Grieco, after whom the school is named, was paid by his long time associate and former Englewood Superintendent Carol Lisa, as well as Grieco’s daughters, Andrea and Joy.
The new school was opened more than four and a half years after the voters of Englewood approved a referendum which permitted the initiation of a $46,000,000 school construction and improvement program. The new Grieco School is the most prominent part of that program, which has also included major additions to Quarles School and Cleveland School, and extensive renovations at Dwight Morrow High School and Janice Dismus Middle School. Notably and commendably the work has to date been accomplished under budget. The construction program was the result of a major initiative by Grieco, who became Superintentent here in 2002 and died suddenly in 2005. Grieco, one of the most highly respected educators in New Jersey, made the Englewood Public Schools the last major commitment of his life. The new school is a fitting memorial.
Persons unfamiliar with Englewood can find the Grieco School by turning east off of Tenafly Road onto Durie Avenue. It is an impressive building and should enhance Englewood’s image more than most other recent construction in the City.
