On Monday, December 1, the Wilkinsburg School District held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the highly anticipated grand opening of the newly renovated and expanded Kelly Primary School. The event marked the completion of a transformative project that breathed new life into the decades-old building, originally constructed in 1969.
The celebration began with remarks from Kelly Primary School's Building Principal, Ms. Rachel Gardocky, followed by Superintendent Dr. Jocelyn Artinger, School Board President Ms. Amanda Barber, and School Board Members Mr. Edward Donovan and Mr. Dennis Bossick.
In their final remarks as school board members ahead of Tuesday's reorganization meeting, Mr. Donovan and Mr. Bossick shared the journey to bring Kelly Primary to its current state. They described working with several architects, gathering inspiration from other schools, and ultimately making the pivotal decision to remodel the beloved neighborhood school rather than adding onto Turner Intermediate or creating an entirely new space.
The project, which began in the summer of 2024 and was completed in November by The Efficiency Network (TEN), included a full renovation and addition that modernized every aspect of the building. Updates include new classrooms, an innovative Matt's Maker Space, an updated library, a new playground, and flexible learning areas designed to meet students where they are.
The building updates have allowed school staff to better assist students in need. Resource rooms—like the new sensory room and expanded office spaces that allow for family meetings with support services—provide a warm, inviting place to offer specialized services to students. Additionally, the installation of an elevator ensures full accessibility and ADA compliance throughout the building.
Beyond the interior transformation, the project addressed critical exterior infrastructure needs. The exterior work included an excavated and constructed foundation-support wall for the new addition, and a new 4-inch water line to support the sprinkler system. These exterior changes supported the installation of updated finishes, windows, flooring, and HVAC and electrical systems throughout the second floor. The project also added a redesigned traffic pattern and parking lot to ensure safe student drop-off and pick-up.
"This space is more than walls and classrooms," shared Dr. Artinger. "It is a place where curiosity, learning, and community come alive. From great welcoming classrooms to thoroughly designed collaborative spaces, every corner of this building was created with our students' growth and well-being in mind."
Final remarks before the ribbon cutting were made by Ms. Renee Gaston from TEN, Wilkinsburg Mayor Dontae Comans, and Senator Jay Costa. Each shared their heartfelt congratulations, commending the hard work that went into the renovation and expressing their support for everyone involved in bringing the project to fruition.
Shortly after remarks concluded, the ribbon was cut, and all in attendance were welcomed to tour the transformed space. Administrators and school board members guided visitors through bright new classrooms, the Maker Space, and every other corner of the building, where the care and thoughtfulness of the design was evident.
As families, staff, and community members walked the halls of Kelly Primary, it became clear that the renovation is more than new walls, updated systems, or modern amenities. It's about the community's unwavering commitment to its children—the future leaders of tomorrow. The Kelly Primary renovation represents years of dedication, collaboration, and belief in the power of education to transform lives. Wilkinsburg is committed to its belief that every child, every day, matters.