Rockwall ISD recently held a dedication ceremony for the new Howard Dobbs Elementary School. The event was attended by students, parents, staff, alumni, government officials and community members.
“Our community’s educational history is founded in this area,” said Superintendent Dr. John Villarreal. “This is our history, and today we see it begin a new chapter for the thousands of children who will attend this school for years to come.”
Dr. Ruth Johnson, Dobbs Elementary principal, recounted the journey the school has been on throughout the process.
“We wanted to create a place where every child felt welcome and wanted. We wanted unique spaces in which learning met the unique needs of our learners,” said Principal Dr. Ruth Johnson. “We wanted community to walk through the doors and say, ‘children live here.’”
Dr. Johnson remarked how the day she stood where the new school would and breaking ground seemed so long ago. 562 days to be exact.
“This has been a long joyful journey. I remember sitting in the library of the old Dobbs dreaming of what could be and what we wanted for our children,” said Johnson. “We were asked to dream big. And we did.”
Sophia Hubbard, a Dobbs Elementary 5th grade student spoke during the ceremony where she contrasted the new Dobbs with the old.
“Some of the best parts of the new Dobbs are the spaces we have that we’ve never had before,” said Sophia. “We have a much bigger gym, collaboration spaces in the hall, an art room that has everything we need to be creative and science labs that lead right outside for outdoor learning.”
