The Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees dedicated the new Anita T. Dovalina Elementary School during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday morning. Mrs. Dovalina was a teacher and principal at Macdonell Elementary School until she retired.
The Dovalina family, along with LISD administration and Dovalina Elementary School administration, staff, and students filled the school’s courtyard to celebrate the opening of the new state-of-the-art campus. LISD board member Rudy Morales III, LISD Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Rios, and Fernando Dovalina, son of Mrs. Dovalina addressed the audience.
The Martin High School ROTC, under the direction of Sgt. Major Juan Hernandez, presented the colors. Dovalina Elementary School teacher and School Bell Award winner Jan Mora performed the National Anthem. Dovalina Elementary School teacher and LISD Elementary Teacher of the Year Ms. Rosa Uvalle led the Pledge of Allegiance.
During the ceremony guest were treated to performances featuring the Dovalina Elementary School Ballet Folklorico directed by Ms. Jan Mora followed by the Dovalina Elementary School Cheer Team directed by Edna Perez. Guests also enjoyed refreshments and an open house after the ceremony.
The new $14.9 million facility will feature 21 instructional classrooms, two computer labs, a science lab, Library Media Center, a fine arts classroom, music classroom, and two self-contained classrooms. Dovalina Elementary School was designed by Design Group International Architects and was built by Leyendecker Construction.